BRAHAMJclNCOLiN 

A  .S  P  1  R  1 T  U  A  h  1ST? 


LINCOLN  ROOM 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 


■<i  ^ 


MEMORIAL 

the  Class  of  1901 


founded  by 

HARLAN  HOYT  HORNER 

and 

HENRIETTA  CALHOUN  HORNER 


wm. 


WAS 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN 


SPIRITUALIST? 


From  life  by  Francis  B.  Carpenter.  Engraved  by  F.  Halpin. 

mKi^n^n  liim^oliMo 

An  authentic  and  perfect  portrait  from  the  engraving  of  the  original  now  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  artist,  to  whom  Mrs.  Lincoln  wrote  : — "  I  write  you  to-day,  to  thank  you  for 
the  most  perfect  likeness  of  my  beloved  hu.sband  that  I  have  ever  seen.  The  resemblance 
is  so  accurate  in  Mr.  Halpin's  engraving,  that  it  will  require  far  more  calmness  than  I  can 
now  command  to  have  it  continuallv  placed  before  me.     More  we  could  not  ask  or  expect." 

'with  sincere  esteem,  MARY  LINCOLN. 

In  the  same  spirit  from  the  now  Honorable  Minister  Plenipotentian,'  to  England  :^ 
'Mr.  Halpin  has  had  most  extraordinary  success  in  engraving  your  portrait  of  my  father 
and  has  made  the  best  likeness  that  I  have  seen.      I  do  not  know  that  I  can  express  my 
idea  of  it  better  than  by  saying,   that  I  am  perfectly  .satisfied  with  it.     Please  accept  my 
thanks,  and  my  heartiest  wishes  for  the  .success  which  vour  work  merits." 

Very  sincerely  yours,        ROBERT  T.  LINCOLN. 

These  letters  of  recognition,  together  with  many  others,  evidence  the  merit  of  this 
superb  portrait,  a  cop\'  of  which  is  now  presented  for  the  fir-st  time  in  book  form,  by  .special 
permis-sion  of  the  artist,  Francis  B.  Carpenter,  Esq.,  of  New  York  City. 

Copyright,  1866--1891. 


WAS 


ABRAHAM  LINCOLN 


SPIRITUALIST? 


OR, 

CURIOUS  REVELATIONS  FROM  THE  LIFE 
OF  A  TRANCE  MEDIUM. 

BY 

Mrs.  NETTIE  COLBURN  MAYNARD, 

OF  WHITE  PLAINS,  N.  Y. 
TOGETHER  WITH 

PORTRAITS,  LETTERS,  AND  POEMS. 

ILLUSTRATED  WITH    ENGRAVINGS,  AND    FRONTISPIECE    OF 
LINCOLN,  FROM  CARPENTER's  PORTRAIT  FROM  LIFE. 


"After  all,  it  is  the  old  old  story. 
Truth  is  stranger  than  Fiction." 


PHILADELPHIA: 
RUFUS  C.  HARTRANFT,  PUBLISHER. 

1891. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  189 1, 

By   Mrs.    NETTIE    C.    MAYNARD, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


JJi^^All  rights  of  translation  reserved  by  the  Publisher.  °^a 


COLLINS   PRINTING  HOUSE, 
705  JAYNE  STREET. 


TO    MY    DEARLY    BELOVED    HUSBAND 


WILLIAM  PORTER  MAYNARD, 


WHOSE  UNCEASING  DEVOTION  AND  TENDERNESS  HAVE 


GIVEN  ME  THE  NEEDED  COURAGE, 


IN    MY  HELPLESSNESS,  TO    COMPLETE    THE    CONTENTS 


OF    THIS    VOLUME. 


N.  C.  M. 


PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE. 


It  is  the  old,  old  story, "  Truth,  is  stranger  than  fiction,  and  life  is, 

after  all,  a  mystery." 

That  history  which  is  most  strange  is  most  true.  To-day  Is 
the  day  of  wonders,  and  the  last  decade  has  been  more  strange 
than  any  preceding  one.  Abraham  Lincoln  was  the  most  promi- 
nent President  that  America  has  known ;  his  actions,  official 
and  unofficial,  have  been,  for  thirty  years,  the  constant  theme 
of  biographers  and  historians,  and  the  fondness  of  Americans 
for  him  Is  as  warm  and  widespread  to-day  as  though  he  had 
died  but  yesterday. 

The  statements  contained  in  this  volume  regardinor  him  are 
given  to  the  public  for  the  reason  that  they  are  not  less  true 
than  surprising ;  and  being  so,  they  must  see  the  light.  Praise 
from  some  quarters  is  natural ;  censure  from  others  Is  to  be 
expected.  Nevertheless,  what  is  here  written  is  truth,  fact,  his- 
tory, and  what  is  more,  no  man  should  question  them.  Should 
he  do  so,  the  field  for  adequate  investigation  Is  quite  accessible. 
The  contents  of  this  book  will  be  seen  to  be  remarkable  for 
three  qualities :  character  of  subject,  historical  importance, 
simplicity  of  statement.  Accordingly,  a  few  words  upon  each 
of  these  heads  may  not  prove  Inappropriate  or  uninstructlve. 

The  separation  of  the  spiritual  from  the  physical  life  of  man, 

(vii) 


viii  PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE. 

and  their  reunion  or  return  has,  at  every  period  in  his  history, 
excited  profound  wonder  and  interest.  If  he  accepts  Biblical 
history  as  final  judgment  upon  the  matter,  his  mind  for  a  time 
comprehends  an  assured  future  life,  and  he  finds  a  calm  happi- 
ness in  that  belief.  So  long  as  he  rests  content  in  that  belief, 
and  accepts  as  truth  all  Biblical  statements,  he  finds  little  motive 
for  investigation.  If  he  is  truly  intelligent,  the  hour  arrives 
•when  he  craves  absolute  proof  of  a  future  condition  ;  or,  if  he 
■wishes  to  answer  -what  the  prophet  of  old  has  left  to  follow  man 
as  a  spectre  through  all  the  ages,  and  to  remain  with  him  from 
the  first  to  the  last  hour  of  conscious  understanding,  he  must 
investisate  :  "  If  a  man  die,  shall  he  live  again  ?"  Therefore, 
not  only  does  the  question,  in  its  vital  importance  and  scope, 
make  all  men  pause  to  consider  it  cautiously  and  honestly,  but 
it  has  a  personal  value  for  each  investigator. 

Spencer,  Huxley,  Darwin,  Tyndall,  Ingersoll,  and  other 
leading  minds  state  that  there  is  no  return  of  the  spirit  after 
death,  and  that  man,  having  ceased  to  breathe,  bears  precisely 
the  same  relation  to  the  physical  world  as  does  vegetable  matter, 
which  lives,  decays,  or  dies,  and  returns  from  whence  it  came — 
to  inanimate  matter,  to  clay.  Human  and  brute  life  offer  but 
little  refutation  of  this  theory.  Insect  and  bird  life  indicate  its 
possibility  by  exhibiting  a  positive  change  from  the  inanimate 
to  the  animate.  Human  reason,  therefore,  may  logically  set  up 
the  hypothesis,  that  if  life  can  come  from  no  life,  and  life  dis- 
appear from  life,  presumption  is  strong  that  life  still  exists  in 
some  form,  and  that  there  is  a  mode  of  communication  between 
the  varied  forms,  but  all  persons  do  not  comprehend  that  mode,  or 
even  know  of  it,  and  the  fact  that  there  is  any  such  communica- 
tion. "We,  therefore,  have  left  open  for  our  consideration  and 
judgment,  our  acceptance  or  rejection,  this  subject  as  the 
prophet  saw  fit  to  leave  it  when  it  became  necessary  to  prepare 
for  his  departure  from  this  life. 


PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE.  ix 

A  new  impetus  will  be  given  to  Spiritualism  by  this  work, 
for  the  reason  that  it  is  not  written  from  a  standpoint  of  bias, 
and  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  a  statement  of  facts,  which  are 
a  part  of  the  experiences  of  the  authoress,  who,  to  say  the 
least,  has  had  a  very  remarkable  life,  and  who  observes  a  tem- 
perateness  and  reverence  in  statement,  which  must  commend 
her  and  her  work  to  all  who  are  fortunate  enough  to  read  this 
unique  volume. 

Mr.  Gladstone  wrote  so  lately  as  September  16th,  in  replying 
to  a  person  who  inquired  whether  the  discussion  of  Theosophy 
ought  to  be  permitted  in  workmen's  clubs  where  lectures  and 
debates  on  religious  subjects  are  tabooed,  and  whether  such  dis- 
cussion was  likely  to  benefit  workmen:  "/  shall  not  adopt 
language  of  determined  disbelief  in  all  inanife stations,  real  or 
supposed,  from  the  other  world.  They  give  me  little  satisfac- 
tion, hut  that  does  not  warrant  meeting  them  with  a  blank  nega- 
tive.'' He  thus  indicates  that  he  feels  an  interest  in  the  sub- 
ject, and,  like  thousands  of  others,  seeks  its  truth. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  through  the  aid  of  this  book,  some  such 
master  mind  as  that  of  Robert  J.  IngersoU  will  give  the  matter 
special  attention,  and  follow  out  the  thought  to  a  point  where 
positive  accurate  information  will  yield  its  intelligence  to  the 
world,  and  not  to  those  only  who  profess  Spiritualism. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Savage,  of  Boston,  when  being  criticised  for 
his  attention  to  Spiritualism,  replied:  "  If  a  Christian  minis- 
ter, preaching  God's  word,  has  no  right  to  consider  Spiritualism 
and  its  phenomena,  pray  who,  and  what  manner  of  man,  does 
possess  that  right,  and  who  should,  beyond  peradventure,  know 
its  truth  or  falsity,  that  is,  whether  the  spirit  does  return  after 
death,  and,  if  so,  under  ichat  conditions  and  for  ichat  purposes  ?" 

A  recent  investigating  commission,  commenting  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  Spiritualism,  remarks  :  "  It  is  no  small  matter  to  be 
able  to  record  any  progress  in  a  subject  of  so  wide  and  deep  an 


X  PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE. 

interest  as  the  present.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  fur- 
ther our  investigations  extend,  the  more  imperative  appears  the 
demand  for  those  investigations.  The  belief  in  so-called  Spirit- 
ualism is  certainly  not  decreasing.  It  has,  from  the  first,  as- 
sumed a  religious  tone,  and  now  claims  to  be  ranked  among  the 
denominational  faiths  of  the  day.  From  the  outset,  we  have 
been  deeply  impressed  with  the  seriousness  of  the  undertaking, 
and  have  fully  recognized  that  men,  eminent  in  intelligence  and 
attainments,  yield  to  Spiritualism  an  entire  credence,  and  who 
can  fail  to  stand  aside  in  tender  reverence,  when  crushed  and 
bleeding  hearts  are  known  to  seek  it  for  consolation  and  for 
hope  ?  We  beg  that  nothing  stated  may  be  interpreted  as  in- 
dicating indifference  or  levity.  Wherever  fraud  in  Spiritualism 
is  found,  that  it  is,  and  not  whatever  of  truth  there  may  be 
within,  which  is  denounced,  and  all  Sjnritualists  who  love  the 
truth  icill  fully  agree  with  us." 

It  is  well  known  that  from  time  to  time  stray  notices  on  the 
subject  of  Lincoln  and  Spiritualism  have  appeared  in  various 
papers,  not,  however,  in  connection  with  any  attempt  on  the 
part  of  the  writers  or  editors  to  verify  the  same.  For  this 
reason  we  deemed  it  wise,  before  entering'  into  this  matter  ex- 
tensively, to  examine  the  subject  with  deliberation  and  care. 
The  fruits  of  this  examination  have  placed  upon  record  infor- 
mation of  a  remarkable  character,  which  will  have  a  marked 
bearing  upon  the  history  of  Spiritualism  and  upon  the 
literature  of  the  day.  That  Abraham  Lincoln  should 
have  been  a  believer  in,  or  follower  of.  Spiritualism,  in 
any  form,  will  be  an  unusual  statement,  and  to  use  the 
words  of  an  editorial  writer  of  a  leading  New  York  dailv : 
"If  it  can  be  proven  that  Abraham  Lincoln  was  in  any  way 
connected  with  Spiritualism,  or  did  take  counsel  from  any 
medium  at  a  time  when  the  nation's  weal  or  woe  hung  in  the 
balance,  or  was  in  any  manner  governed  by  such  counsel,   it 


PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE.  xi 

would  he  the  literary  event  of  the  nineteenth  century^  and  the 
most  astonishing  statement  of  modern  times.''  In  FeLmary  of 
this  year,  the  writer  had  the  good  fortune  to  meet  a  gentleman 
who  related  that  he  knew  from  personal  experience  and  con- 
tact, that  Abraham  Lincoln  was  a  Spiritualist,  and  implicitly 
believed  in  the  guidance  and  teachings  of  that  science  or  re- 
ligion, whichever  it  may  be.  He  further  stated  that  he  attended 
a  stance  yfhere  the  President  with  several  other  persons  had  sat 
upon  a  piano,  and  that  the  instrument  had  been  bodily  lifted 
from  the  floor  by  means  of  spirit  power,  while  the  President 
and  his  friends  remained  seated  upon  it  I  He  further  stated 
that  he  knew  from  personal  knowledge  that  the  President  had 
been  instructed  and  guided  by  spirits  in  times  of  particular 
stress  in  affairs  of  state,  and  that  at  a  period  when  the  nation's 
future  was  uncertain,  and  while  the  States  were  in  the  midst 
of  the  throes  of  a  great  civil  war.  He  also  stated  that  he  knew 
of  his  own  personal  knowledge  and  experience,  that  numerous 
Spiritualistic  stances  were  held  in  the  White  House,  and  that 
they  were  frequented  by  many  of  the  leading  men  of  the  time, 
who  were  then  located  in  Washington. 

This  gentleman's  statement,  being  of  such  pecidiar  signifi- 
cance, the  icriter  did  not  believe  it.  This  recitation,  however, 
caused  the  writer  to  become  greatly  interested  in  the  subject 
from  a  purely  historical  standpoint,  and,  therefore,  he  immedi- 
ately started  an  investigation  regarding  the  matter,  the  results 
of  which  he  is  now  obliged  to  state,  reveal  to  the  world,  matters 
of  decided  interest  and  importance,  and  which,  as  far  as  they 
are  related  in  this  volume,  are  capable  of  proof,  and  based  upon 
circumstances  of  fact. 

The  writer  incidentally  learned  that  Mrs.  N.  C.  Maynard,  of 
V/hite  Plains,  New  York,  had  resided  in  Washington  during 
several  years  of  the  War  of  the  liebellion,  and  had  upon  numer- 
ous occasions  given  sittings  for  the  President  of  the  United 


xii  PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE. 

States,  Ills  wife,  and  friends  who  were  present  by  invitation, 
and  that  she  was  preparing  a  record  of  these  experiences,  to- 
gether with  other  incidents  connected  with  an  eventful  life,  for 
publication  in  book  form.  He  suggested  that  as  many  of  the 
statements  therein  were  of  a  personal  and  unusual  nature,  re- 
vealing habits  of  character  in  many  persons  who  were  prominent 
before  the  nation,  it  might  be  well  to  have  the  accounts  of  cir- 
cumstances verijied  as  described,  and  affidavits  secured  from  the 
persons  who  must  necessarily  constitute  her  witnesses,  as  to  the 
truthfulness  of  her  narrative,  especially  such  persons  as  were 
living  to-day,  and  who  were  connected  with  the  subject  in  any 
manner,  and  who  would  he  vnlling  to  come  forth  and  testify ; 
to  which  suggestion  she  readily  assented.  Immediately  there- 
after investigation  was  commenced  by  the  writer.  The  initia- 
tory movement  was  to  ascertain  from  those  who  resided  in  the 
neighborhood  of  her  home,  or  thereabouts,  the  character  and 
standing  of  Mrs.  N.  C.  Maynard.  He  was  informed  by  those 
who  had  known  the  family  for  a  lengthy  period,  that  her  hus- 
band had  been  a  resident  of  "White  Plains  for  twenty-five  years, 
was  cordially  indorsed  by  many  of  the  leading  residents,  was 
trustworthy  and  honorable,  and  had  been  doing  business  during 
all  of  that  period  in  that  village,  and  that  he  was  a  man  noted 
for  truthfulness,  honesty,  and  general  Integrity  of  character. 
The  family  physician  stated  that  he  knew  Mrs.  Maynard  and 
had  attended  her  for  about  fifteen  years ;  that  she  is  now  a 
hopeless  invalid,  has  been  confined  to  her  bed  for  nearly  three 
years,  and  cannot  possibly  recover  ;  that  during  his  experiences 
and  contact  with  her,  he  has  always  found  her  to  be  an  exem- 
plary woman,  but  possessed  of  a  peculiar  organism  and  sensi- 
tiveness of  condition,  and  likewise  of  some  peculiar  power  or 
magnetism,  which,  to  say  the  least,  was  unexplalnable,  and  that 
nothing  within  the  science  of  medicine  could  clearly  explain 
her  "psychic"  condition,  or  briefly,  in  common- place  words : 


PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE.  xiii 

"  We  confess  there  is  something  about  Mrs.  Maynard  that  we 
do  not  understand ;  we,  however,  believe  Jier  to  be  a  thorough 
Christian  woman  of  irreproachable  character  and  antecedents." 

Hon.  Melville  C.  Smith,  of  New  York  City,  a  well-known 
and  responsible  gentleman,  informed  the  writer  that  he  had 
known  Mrs.  Maynard  for  more  than  thirty  years,  and  placed 
full  confidence  in  her  integrity  of  character,  and  of  his  own 
knowledge  found  her  to  be  a  very  remarkable  woman  and  pos- 
sessed of  a  peculiar  "psychic"  condition,  which  permitted  her 
to  see  and  foresee  and  comprehend  that  which  could  not  be 
understood  by  ordinary  people. 

Mark  M.  ("Brick")  Pomeroy,  the  well-known  lawyer  and 
writer,  unhesitatingly  indorses  Mrs.  Maynard  and  states,  "  You 
may  say  for  me,  Mrs.  Maynard  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
mediums  to  be  found  within  the  lines  of  Spiritualism.  I  have 
known  her  for  many  years,  she  is  a  woman  against  whom  not 
one  word  of  reproach  may  he  truthfully  uttered,  and  I  believe 
the  truth  of  her  statements." 

Francis  B.  Carpenter,  the  distinguished  artist,  and  the  painter 
of  the  "Emancipation  Proclamation,"  which  is  in  the  Capitol 
at  Washington,  who  is  also  the  author  of  the  "  Inner  Life  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,"  and  the  painter  and  possessor  of  the  last 
portrait  in  oil  of  Lincoln,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  the  frontispiece 
of  this  volume,  states:  "I  have  known  Mrs.  Maynard  for 
some  years.  She  is  a  talented  woman  ;  I  do  not  believe  she 
would  tell  an  untruth  ;  she  is  a  medium  of  remarkable  ability. 
I  know  that  Mr.  Herndon  knew  Mr.  Lincoln  better  than  any 
other  man,  up  to  the  time  of  his  election  in  1861  ;  after  his  elec- 
tion Mr.  Herndon  knew  but  little  of  him,  and  absolutely  nothing 
of  his  mental  or  spiritual  condition  before  the  sickness  of  his  son 
Willie,  nor  after  Willie's  death,  and  I  must  say  that  Mr.  Lin- 
coln's mind  underwent  a  vast  change  after  that  event.  Just 
what  Mr.  Lincoln's  religious  views  were,  I  do  not  know,  but  it 


xiv  PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE. 

is  a  fact  that  he  was  known  to  pray,  and  his  condition  was  much 
more  in  accordance  vith  the  statement  found  in  '  The  Inner 
Life  of  Abraham  Lincoln'  than  that  stated  by  other  biogra- 
phers, and  you  may  quote  me,  that  Hevndon's  statements  have 
neither  weight  nor  value,  after  the  connection  between  the  two 
men  ceased.  I  am  not  prepared  to  state  that  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
a  Spiritualist.  I  do  know  that  he  had  faith  in  spiritual  comfort 
and  believed  that  we  were,  in  a  measure,  directed  by  spiritual 
teachers  and  guidance.^* 

Mrs.  Daniel  E.  Somes,  of  "Washington,  wife  of  the  late  Hon. 
Daniel  E.  Somes,  Representative  from  Maine,  in  the  Thirty- 
sixth  Congress,  informs  the  writer  that  she  attended  stances  at 
the  White  House  during  the  war  when  Miss  Colburn  (Maynard) 
was  the  medium  there,  and  upon  one  occasion  met  Major-Gene- 
ral Daniel  Sickles,  and  that  the  circumstances  recorded  as  to 
that  seance  are  fully  described  in  this  volume.  This  statement 
she  fully  and  completely  indorses ;  and  further  adds  that  her 
husband  was  closely  and  intimately  connected  with  President 
Lincoln,  and  had  repeatedly  informed  her  of  interesting  and 
remarkable  incidents  which  occurred  at  the  White  House  at 
stances  as  herein  described  and  mentioned.  She  also  states 
that  she  knows  Miss  Colburn  did  not  give  stances  in  the  White 
House  for  money.  The  standing  of  Hon.  D.  E.  Somes  is  fully 
set  forth  in  the  following  obituary  notice  taken  from  the  Wash- 
ington 'National  Republican,'  February  2,  1888  : — 

HON.  DANIEL  E.  SOMES. 

THE  END   OF   A  DISTINGUISHED   AND  USEFUL  CAREER. 

In  the  death  of  Hon.  Daniel  E.  Somes,  formerly  a  member  of 
Congress  from  Maine,  but  for  the  last  twenty-five  years  a  resident 
of  this  city,  a  distinguished  and  useful  career  is  ended,  and  the  cora- 
muuity  loses  a  most  worthy  and  honorable  citizen. 

Mr.  Somes  was  born  at  Meredith,  now  Laconia,  N.  H.,  :May  20, 
1815.  He  received  an  academic  education,  and  was  married  in  early 
lile  to  Miss  Laura  Chase,  of  his  native  place,  who  survives  him. 


PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE.  xv 

In  184:6  he  moved  to  Biddeford,  Me.,  where  he  became  largely- 
Interested  in  various  business  enterprises,  and  was  very  prominent 
iu  the  temperance  and  anti-slavery  movements  of  the  time.  He 
established  in  Biddeford  the  'Eastern  Journal,'  now  the  'Union 
and  Journal,'  newspaper.  He  was  the  first  mayor  of  Biddeford,  and 
was  several  times  re-elected.  In  that  position  he  was  active  in  execut- 
ing the  "  Maine  law,"  which  was  the  first  prohibition  law  passed 
iu  the  United  States,  and  under  his  administration  at  least  proved 
successful.  He  organized  the  City  Bank  of  Biddeford  in  1858,  and 
was  for  several  years  its  president. 

He  had  manufacturing  establishments  in  Saco,  Biddeford,  and 
Lewistown,  Me.,  and  a  business  establishment  in  Boston. 

He  was  always  active  in  public  affairs  during  early  life,  and  was 
one  of  the  original  organizers  of  the  Republican  party,  and  was  a 
strong  supporter  of  Fremont  and  Dayton  in  IS.'je. 

In  1858  he  was  elected  to  the  Thirty-sixth  Congress  from  the  dis- 
trict now  represented  by  lion.  Thomas  B.  Reed.  He  was  known  as 
a  radical  Republican  and  strongly  expressed  his  views  to  the  coun- 
try ;  notably  in  a  patriotic  speech  delivered  by  him  in  the  House  of 
Representatives  Feb.  16,  1861. 

During  the  war  he  was  a  friend  and  confidant  of  President  Lin- 
coln, who  often  sent  for  him,  sometimes  late  at  night,  to  come  to 
the  Executive  Mansion  to  confer  on  matters  of  public  importance. 

He  was  closely  associated  with  Hannibal  Hamlin,  Horace  Greeley, 
John  P.  Hale,  Henry  Wilson,  and  other  leading  men  of  the  earlier 
Republican  party. 

Although  pronounced  in  his  Republican  views,  he  was  of  a  gentle 
and  pacific  disposition  and  of  moderate  temper,  from  which  facts  he 
was  chosen  a  member  of  the  "Peace  Congress"  of  1861,  which 
proved  so  unequal  to  stemming  the  tide  of  war  feeling  that  swept 
over  every  obstacle  iu  that  turbulent  time. 

In  1863  Mr.  Somes  settled  in  Washington,  and  for  several  years 
was  a  prominent  practitioner  before  the  patent  office.  He  also 
turned  his  attention  to  inventing  and  took  out  over  sixty  patents, 
many  of  them  relative  to  the  general  subject  of  refrigeration  and 
ventilation.  As  an  inventor  he  showed  great  originality  and  versa- 
tility. More  than  twenty-five  years  ago  he  proposed  the  system  of 
transporting  fresh  beef  in  refrigerator  cars  and  suitable  means  for 
accomplishing  it ;  but,  as  in  the  case  of  many  inventors,  he  was  too 
early  for  his  time  and  failed  to  reap  the  benefits  of  his  invention, 
which  is  now  in  quite  extensive  use  throughout  the  country  by 
other  people. 

Mr.  Somes  had  an  extremely  hopeful  and  genial  nature.  He  was 
a  most  tender  and  kind-hearted  husband  and  father.  In  fact  he 
had  the  gentleness  of  a  wom^n,  combined  with  marked  manly 
strength  and  vigor,  and  was  always  a  model  gentleman  in  his 
manners,  and  the  soul  of  honor  in  his  dealings  and  intercourse  with 
his  fellowmen. 


xvi  PUBLISHERS  PREFACE. 

For  several  weeks  past  Mr.  Soraes  lias  been  ill  with  a  severe  cold, 
which  on  last  Friday  nioruinof  became  ago^ravated  and  assumed  the 
symptoms  of  congestion  of  the  lungs.  This  malady  was  followed 
on  Saturday  morning  by  paralysis  of  his  right  side.  Most  of  the 
time  after  that  he  was  insensible,  gradually  sinking  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  Monday,  the  13th  of  February,  at  10.15  P.  M. 

He  had  four  sons,  two  of  whom  died  in  youth.  Only  one  son 
survives,  Mr.  F.  C.  Somes,  a  prominent  patent  attorney  of  this  city. 
Mr.  Byron  Somes,  a  younger  son,  who  vvas  night  editor  of  the  Bos- 
ton '  Globe,'  and  a  young  man  of  much  promise,  died  about  one  year 
ago. 

Mrs.  E.  1).  E.  N.  Southworth,  a  well-known  authoress,  who 
now  resides  at  Prospect  Cottage,  Georgetown,  freely  and  cheer- 
fully corroborates  the  account  herein  mentioned  in  this  book  of 
a  circle  held  at  her  house,  and,  in  a  letter  to  the  publisher, 
states:  "I  am  glad  that  in  the  inextricable  mazes  of  this 
world's  wilderness,  I  have,  through  you,  found  a  trace  of  Nettie 

Colburn  (Maynard) Please  give  my  love  to  Mrs. 

MaynarJ,  and  tell  her  I  have  a  perfect  memory  of  that  evening 
of  which  she  gives  so  warm  a  picture." 

Col.  Simon  P.  Kase,  of  Philadelphia,  states  that  he  was  pres- 
ent at  a  stance  with  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  that  he,  with  several 
other  gentlemen,  the  President  included,  sat  upon  the  piano, 
while  it  was  lifted  bodily  from  the  floor  by  spirit  power,  and 
that  Mr.  Lincoln  was  not  only  interested  in  this  physical  phe- 
nomenon, but  was  also  intensely  interested  in  the  statements 
which  the  medium  made  to  President  Lincoln  while  in  a  trance 
condition." 

Mrs.  Elvira  M.  Depuy,  of  Washington,  stated  to  the  writer : 
*'  My  husband  was  a  visitor  to  stances  where  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
present,  and  he  has  told  me  of  many  interesting  occurrences 

which  happened  thereat In  the  winter  of  1862-3 

I  attended  a  stance  at  Mrs.  Laurie's,  at  Georgetown,  where 
Mrs.  Lincoln  was  present.  She  was  accompanied  by  Mr.  New- 
ton, Commissioner  of  Agriculture.  At  this  stance  remarkable 
statements  were  made  by  Miss  Colburn  (Maynard)  which  sur- 


PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE.  xvii 

prised  Mrs.   Lincoln  to  such  a  degree  that  she  asked  that  a 

sSance  might  be  given  to  Mr.  Lincoln I  have 

always  known  from  my  husband  and  others  that  Mr.  Lincoln 
attended  circles  and  stances,  and  was  greatly  interested  in 
Spiritualism." 

Mrs.  Parthenia  Colburn,  whose  name  finds  place  in  this 
volume,  now  resides  at  White  Plains  ;  she  was  with  Mrs.  May- 
nard  (Miss  Colburn)  during  18G2-3-4-5,  and  frequently  visited 
the  White  House  with  Miss  Colburn  (Maynard)  when  Hon. 
Daniel  E.  Somes  and  others  were  present,  and  she  has  filed 
with  the  publisher  an  affidavit  made  before  the  county  clerk  of 
the  county  of  West  Chester,  N.  Y.,  wherein  she  solemnly  avers 
that  the  statements  regardingr  her,  found  in  this  book,  are  true 
and  fact  in  each  and  every  particular.  A  similar  affidavit  is 
on  file  with  the  publisher  made  by  Mrs.  Nettie  Colburn  May- 
nard, the  writer  of  this  book,  taken  by  the  county  clerk  of  the 
county  of  West  Chester,  at  her  bedside,  and  attested  by  him  in 
regular  legal  form. 

In  addition  to  the  persons  above  named,  the  publisher  wishes 
to  tender  thanks  for  courtesies  and  aid  extended  him,  while 
seeking  information  regarding  this  subject,  to  F.  C.  Somes, 
Esq.,  George  A.  Bacon,  Esq.,  Alfred  Horton,  Esq.,  all  of  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  ;  Gen'l  Daniel  E.  Sickles,  Henry  J.  Newton, 
Esq.,  and  Charles  J.  Quinby,  Esq.,  of  New  York;  Frank  L. 
Burr,  Esq.,  of  the  '  Hartford  Times,'  and  B.  B.  Hill,  Esq.,  of 
Philadelphia;  each  of  whom  has  rendered  him  service  and  in- 
formation regarding  this  volume  of  reminiscences.  The  pub- 
lisher wishes  it  distinctly  understood  that  the  statements  con- 
tained in  this  book  are  free  from  all  bias  or  interest  from  any 
cause  or  purpose  other  than  as  an  historical  picture  of  the  con- 
ditions and  influences  which  were  connected  with,  and  had 
bearing  upon,  those  turbulent  times,  wliich  are  known  as  "  the 
War  Years  of  the  Rebellion."     He  trusts  that  nothing  in  these 

B 


xviii  PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE. 

prefatory  remarks  will  be  construed  in  any  way  to  indicate  an 
opinion,  either  for  or  against  Spiritualism,  and  a  decision 
whether  Abraham  Lincoln  was,  or  was  not  a  Spiritualist,  must 
be  reached  as  a  conclusion,  through  and  by  the  judgment  of  the 
individual  reader,  who  will  find  this  work  of  special  and  con- 
tinuous interest,  and,  therefore,  as  the  title  is  suggestive,  and 
the  information  which  the  book  conveys  is  extraordinary,  it  is 
perhaps  pertinent  to  ask  the  question,  as  given  in  the  title — 

*'"Was  Abraham  Lincoln  a  Spiritualist?" 

THE  PUBLISHER. 


TABLE   OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


PAGE 


Early  Memories.  Peculiar  stair-way  noises — The  clock  strikes 
— Grandmother  dies — The  clock  again  warns  us — Grandmother 
calls  from  the  Spirit  worlds — My  father  hears  strokes  on  the 
house  side — Grandfather  dies 7 

CHAPTER  II. 

The  Mystery  Deepens.  Strange  phenomena — Spirit  rapping 
— My  gift  of  mediuraship  discovered — My  father's  discovery — 
Asa  Rogers — Buchanan's  election — Written  communications 
come  through  my  mediumship         ,        .        .        .        .        .13 

CHAPTER  III. 

Further  Developments.  I  meet  Ex-Gov.  Seymour  of  Conn. 
— Am  kindly  welcomed  everywhere — Speak  at  Pequannock, 
Conn. — My  friend  Fiavia  Howe — Go  to  Windsor  and  Ware- 
house Point — My  public  career  is  inaugurated         .        .        .21 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A  Strange  Adventure.  Receive  a  call  to  speak  in  Albany — 
Mr.  M.  wants  my  friend  to  be  the  **  Princess"  of  his  city  of  a 
thousand  wives — We  have  an  adventure  in  which  the  spirits 
aid  us — We  leave  hurriedly 28 

(xix) 


XX  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

PAGE 

Spiritualism  axd  War.  The  first  call  for  75,000  men — The 
advice  from  the  spirit  world  and  my  disobedience — I  go  to 
Washington  to  get  a  furlough  for  my  brother — Success  and 
loss — Meet  prominent  people — Go  to  the  camp — Dr.  Curtis, 
Secretary  Tucker,  and  other  prominent  men  are  met — Have 
important  work  to  do — Hold  siances — Per  order  of  Secretary 
of  War — DeKalb's  desire  to  thwart  my  efforts — Meet  Mr. 
Betts,  of  Albany — Success  and  failure — Appended  letters, 
etc 34 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Gladness  and  Sadness.  Mrs.  Belle  Miller  as  a  medium — 
Captain  DeKalb  temporarily  succeeds — I  go  to  General 
Townsend's  office — Issued  by  "  special  order  of  the  War 
Department" — I  fail  to  get  brother's  back  pay — Brother 
and  I  drive  "to  camp" — We  meet  father  at  camp— We 
hold  the  first  "sitting"  on  Virginia  soil — Brother  loses  his 
pass — Our  friends  sympathize  with  us 54 

CHAPTER  Vn. 

First  Meeting  with  Lincoln.  Secretary  Foster  takes  us  to 
Mr.  Laurie's  house  in  Mrs.  Lincoln's  carriage — Mrs.  Lincoln 
promises  to  obtain  another  furlough  for  my  brother — I  go 
into  a  trance — "  This  young  lady  must  not  leave  Washington ; 
Mr.  Lincoln  must  hear  her" — Am  promised  a  place  under 
Mr.  Newton — Am  promised  another  furlough — A  thirty-day 
furlough  is  granted — A  present  of  a  hundred  dollars — I  ar- 
range to  stay  in  Washington — We  are  invited  to  the  White 
House,  where  we  hold  a  seayice  that  is  of  historical  importance 
— "  So  this  is  our  little  Nettie" — President  Lincoln  is  advised 
upon  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  that  it  is  to  be  the 
crowning  effort  of  his  administration  and  his  life — The  Presi- 
dent states  that  pressure  was  being  brought  to  bear  upon 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  xxi 

PAGE 

him  to  suppress  the  enforcement  of  the  proclamation — "My 
child,  you  possess  a  wonderful  gift,  but  that  it  is  of  God  I 
have  no  doubt"— Notes 64 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Ve  Make  History.  We  enter  the  Interior  Department — Form 
the  acquaintance  of  Mrs.  Anna  M.  Cosby — Meet  Geo.  D.  Pren- 
tice and  many  prominent  people — Frequently  visit  the  White 
House — We  hold  a  stance  at  Laurie's,  the  President  attending 
— "  Bonnie  Doon" — Mrs.  Miller  causes  the  piano  to  dance — 
The  scene  at  the  front  depicted — The  President  advised  by 
"  Dr.  Bamford"  to  go  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  talk 
with  the  soldiery — "The  simplest  remedies  the  best" — The 
President  grants  a  furlough  to  A.  L.  Guruey — The  President 
speaks  his  views  upon  spiritualistic  communications — Ad- 
vised not  to  make  the  stances  public  information — Mrs.  Miller 
moves  the  piano  while  the  President  sits  upon  it — Notes        .    79 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Perilous  Times.  I  make  a  strange  error — The  President  visits 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  at  the  instigation  of  the  spirits — 
Mrs.  Lincoln  is  distracted  and  we  comfort  her — A  sitting 
while  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  goes  on  and  the  result 
foretold — We  depart  with  an  armful  of  flowers — Visit  to  the 
Mount  Pleasant  Hospital,  where  father  greets  us    .        .        .95 

CHAPTER  X. 

The  Wounded  and  Dying.  After  the  battles  of  Chancellors- 
ville and  Frederitk&burg — We  go  to  the  hospital  and  aid  the 
wounded — Scenes  of  horror  among  the  "  brave  boys  in  blue" 
— While  riding  home  we  see  the  President  lift  his  hat  to  a 
crippled  soldier  boy — Lincoln  always  ready  to  serve  the 
humble 103 


xxli  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

PAGE 

Continued  Services.  The  "  Thirtieth  New  York"  passes 
through  Washington — The  poem  of  reception — I  am  called 
home — Colonel  Chrysler  requests  us  to  return  to  Washington 
to  do  him  a  service — We  meet  Joshua  Speed  at  Cosby's — The 
story  of  Mr.  Cosby's  dismissal — A  visit  to  the  President  and 
unpleasant  remembrances — "  We  are  Coming,  Father  Abra- 
ham, Three  Hundred  Strong" — Mr.  Lincoln  explains  the 
dilemmas  of  war — Our  point  is  gained  and  we  call  on  Sec- 
retary Stanton — A  politic  reply,  and  its  result — Colonel 
Chrysler's  Brigade  made  happy Ill 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Making  Progress.  A  crazy  lecturer — Mr.  Somes  inaugurates 
the  first  Washington  lecture — Spiritualism  a  comforting  be- 
lief      124 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Spiritual  Advice.  We  pay  a  visit  to  the  White  House — 
General  Sickels  attends  the  stance — The  terrible  condition 
of  the  freedmen  around  Washington  —  Establishing  the 
*'  Freedmen's  Bureau"  suggested  by  the  spirits — Recalling 
the  pleasant  scene 128 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

A  Strange  Incident.  I  return  home — A  commission  ap- 
pointed to  investigate  the  freedmen's  condition — I  return  to 
Washington — Our  friend  General  William  Norris — "Why, 
Daniel,  what  is  the  matter?" — The  telegram  and  "Who 
killed  Cock  Robin?" — Mr.  Somes  has  a  strange  meeting — A 
matter  of  life  or  death — The  President  reprieves  the  sentinel 
— Janvier's  poem  of  the  "  Sleeping  Sentinel"  .        .        .  134 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  xxiii 

CHAPTER  XV. 

PAGE 

New  Acquaintances.  We  spend  an  evening  with  Col.  Forney 
— Mrs.  Cosby  takes  us  to  "  Prospect  Cottage,"  the  home  of 
Mrs.  South  worth — We  fall  in  love  with  her  daughter — "  What 
impressions  do  you  receive?" — Mrs.  Southworth  recites  a 
strange  experience — "You  shall  have  my  picture,"  she  said 
— Seances  with  Mrs.  Lincoln  by  appointment  ....  144 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

We  Lose  a  Friend.  Mr.  Lincoln  and  "Abraham  Laudamus" 
— Rev.  Byron  Sunderland's  desire  to  witness  a  siance — He 
sends  Mrs.  Cosby  a  letter — I  lecture  in  the  Columbia  Com- 
pany's Hall — "  Thy  coming,  'tis  as  steals  the  morn" — Mrs. 
Cosby's  death,  and  notices  of  same — I  write  a  presentation 
address 154 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

A  Test  Seance.  We  are  requested  to  attend  a  private  seance 
at  the  White  House — The  President  asks  me  to  demonstrate 
my  "rare  gift,"  as  he  called  it — The  two  soldiers  present  in 

,  citizen's  dress — "Perfectly  satisfactory,"  said  Mr.  Lincoln ; 
"  Miss  Nettie  does  not  require  eyes  to  do  anything" — Tracing 
lines  upon  the  map — I  do  not  hear  the  import  of  the  siance — 
Those  were  not  days  for  trifling — An  account  of  a  witt}'^  ap- 
plication of  a  part  of  Knox's  poem,  "  Why  Should  the  Spirit 
of  Mortal  be  Proud  ?" — The  complete  poem    ....  163 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Until  My  Work  is  Done.  I  go  home  for  a  time— The  meet- 
ings at  Great  Barrington  and  some  old  campaign  recollec- 
tions— I  address  the  audience — We  return  again  to  Wash- 
ington— Major  Chorpenning  and  their  home — I  meet  many 
well-known  people  there — I  receive  dispatch  from  home — 


XXIV 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

We  go  to  the  White  House— "I  didn't  catch  her,  did  I?"— 
"I  dou't  think  the  knife  is  made  or  the  bullet  run  that  will 
reach  me" — Never  again  did  we  meet  his  welcome  smile      ,  173 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  Man  Lincoln.  A  Personal  Description  of  President 
Abraham  Lincoln  and  his  Peculiarities  ....  183 

CHAPTER  XX. 

A  Comical  Stance.  A  visit  from  two  sable  contemporaries — 
The  lost  money  and  its  return — Who  can  say  that  Spiritualism 
is  not  of  Divine  origin  ? 198 

4 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Peculiar  History.  We  go  to  Washington  to  attend  the  great 
Inauguration  ball — Meet  at  Chorpenniug's— General  Banks 
calls — General  Longstreet  has  his  fortune  told — "  Twice  did 
I  tender  my  sword,  and  twice  was  it  refused" — A  remarkable 
statement — You  have  my  blessing 201 

CONCLUSION ^  .        .206 

SPIRIT  POEMS 213 

APPENDIX 233 


AUTHOR^S  PREFACE. 


THE  reminiscences  contained  in  this  volume  are 
given  to  the  public  from  no  desire  to  proselyte 
in  the  cause  of  spiritualism. 

School  privileges  were  denied  me  through  protracted 
illness  in  childhood,  and  home  training  did  not  prepare 
for  authorship;  therefore,  I  beg  the  indulgence  of  my 
readers. 

The  earnest  solicitations  of  friends  that  I  should 
place  on  record  the  important  events  in  my  experience 
as  a  spiritual  medium,  led  me  to  complete  these  papers, 
in  which,  if  they  have  no  other  merit,  are  related  facts 
that  can  be  verified  by  living  witnesses.  There  may 
be  some  inaccuracy  in  dates,  as  the  more  prominent 
events  occurred  many  years  ago  ;  but  the  circumstances 
as  stated  are  correctly  recorded. 

Let  it  be  distinctly  understood  that  no  claim  is  made 
that  all  persons  named  in  connection  with  my  medium- 
istic  experiences  in  the  White  House  at  Washington, 
or  elsewhere  in  the  several  circles  of  that  city,  were 
spiritualists.  I  never  asked,  nor  was  I  told  their  views 
on  the  subject  of  spiritualism.    We  met  with  consider- 

(1) 


2  AUTHORS  PREFACE. 

ation  and  kindness  wherever  invited,  and  were  offered 
the  same  welcome  and  courteous  attention  extended  to 
the  other  guests. 

Comparatively  few  of  the  seances  with  the  President 
are  given,  as  a  number  took  place  with  Mrs.  Lincoln 
alone  as  witness.  I  was  not  told  of  the  revelations 
then  made,  for  when  in  a  trance  state,  I  am  unconscious 
and  have  no  knowledge  of  what  transpires  or  what  I 
have  said.  But  those  recorded,  demonstrate  that  this 
great  and  good  man  did  not  hesitate  to  receive  and 
weigh  any  suggestions  for  guidance,  when  given  in- 
telligently, however  humble  their  apparent  origin. 

*'  Throutrh  that  long  day  of  bitter  grief, 

When  horror  rested  on  the  Ark, 
His  was  the  calm  unshaken  belief 

That  felt  God's  Presence  in  the  dark. 
Full  well  he  knew  each  wandering  star. 

That  once  had  decked  the  azure  dome, 
Would  trembling  through  the  clouds  of  war, 

Like  a  lost  prodigal  son,  come  home." 

Appended  to  this  volume  will  be  found  a  few  poems, 
interesting  only,  as  showing  one  phase  of  mediumship. 
Ordinarily,  I  cannot  write  poetry,  still  there  were  two 
methods  by  which  it  was  possible. 

In  the  first,  having  certain  ideas  to  express,  I  close 
my  eyes.  Presently  there  appear  illuminated  letters 
on  a  back  ground.  When  distinct  so  as  to  be  read, 
I  open  my  eyes  and  copy  the  lines.  Again  closing 
the  lids,  I  wait  until  another  stanza  appears  before 
my  mental  vision,  which  is  transcribed  as  before. 


AUTHOR'S  PREFACE.  3 

In  this  manner  I  continue  until  the  poem  is  com- 
plete. This  illuminated  vision  I  have  learned  to  call 
my  tablet.  The  poem  to  commemorate  my  mother's 
eightieth  birthday  was  thus  composed.  I  have  also 
received  poems  through  my  sense  of  hearing,  when 
no  one  was  by. 

The  words  would  be  repeated  so  heard,  as  if  through 
the  ear,  as  fast  as  I  could  copy  them,  all  by  a  method 
I  am  unable  to  explain.  My  readers  will  consider 
that  these  productions,  of  which  I  am  apparently  the 
author,  are  not  mine,  except  as  I  gave  the  subject  and 
copied  what  was  revealed  either  to  my  mental  vision 
or  hearing. 

By  far  the  greater  number  of  these  poems  were 
composed  by  the  second  method,  while  in  a  trance 
state.  At  these  times  the  subject  was  given  by  some 
one  present,  and  the  lines  repeated  were  copied  by 
another.  Whenever  a  spirit  was  given  as  the  author, 
I  have  signed  the  name. 

Being  insensible  while  in  a  trance,  these  clairvoyant 
poems  are  unfamiliar,  and  are  read  by  me  with  as 
much  interest  as  if  composed  by  another. 

Some  years  ago,  at  the  request  of  that  scholarly 
writer,  the  late  Prof.  S.  B.  Brittan,  I  prepared  a 
manuscript,  which  he  offered  to  edit  for  publication, 
but  his  death  following  shortly,  the  MS.  was  lost  and 
never  recovered.     The  present  one  has  been  prepared 


4  AUTHOR'S  PREFACE. 

at  intervals  during  the  past  three  years  by  the  aid  of 
an  amanuensis. 

Confined  to  bed  by  rheumatism  and  given  up  to  die 
by  my  physician,  there  have  been  comparatively  few 
days  in  which  I  could  dictate  these  pages,  therefore, 
under  such  disadvantages,  this  work  must  necessarily 
be  imperfect. 

From  the  time  that  the  gift  of  mediumship  was 
developed  and  I  became  conscious  of  spirit  life,  the 
messengers  have  never  failed  in  guiding  and  guarding 
me  under  all  circumstances.  They  have  advised  and 
directed  me  in  worldly  as  well  as  spiritual  matters, 
and  in  heeding  their  counsel  it  has  always  been  well 
with  me. 

Of  the  power,  beauty,  and  intelligence  of  these  un- 
seen guides,  who  led  me,  an  unlettered  girl,  from  the 
quite  home  circle  to  the  jubilee  platform  as  a  religious 
teacher,  and  thence  through  strange  and  varied  expe- 
riences, to  become  the  honored  guest  of  the  Ruler  of 
our  Great  Nation,  during  the  most  memorable  events 
in  its  history,  I  have  given  no  adequate  evidence  in 
these  pages. 

My  lectures  have  never  been  reported,  although  the 
press  notices  have  been  commendable,  and  whenever 
a  lecture  has  been  repeated,  the  audience  has  been 
appreciative. 

The  teachings  of  the  spirits  through  my  medium- 
ship  have  been  in  full  accord  with  those  of  the  Great 


A  UTHOR  S  PREFA  CE.  5 

Master  Medium,  who  laid  the  foundation  of  a  Practical 
Religion  many  centuries  ago  among  the  Judean  Hills, 
and  Who  lit  the  altar  fires  of  Divine  Inspiration  along 
the  shores  of  Galilee  with  this  "  New  Commandment" 
of  the  "  Comforter"  in  this  late  Pentecost. 

Looking  back  over  my  life,  it  is  a  source  of  undying 
joy  to  recall  the  scenes  where  I  have  been  the  instru- 
ment in  the  hands  of  the  Spirit  World  to  carry  health 
to  the  sick  and  peace  to  the  sorrowing,  and  to  kindle 
the  light  of  hope  where  reigned  the  darkness  of  de- 
spair. It  brings  me  that  peace  that  passeth  under- 
standing, to  remember  that  by  the  aid  of  this  precious 
gift  I  have  brought  comfort  to  the  bedside  of  the  dying, 
and  more  than  once  have  staid  the  suicidal  hand  ;  while 
many  souls  wandering  in  the  paths  of  sinfulness  have 
been  reclaimed  and  brought  back  to  a  life  of  virtue 
and  honor.  It  is  also  gratifying  that  the  ties  of 
friendship  formed  in  many  households,  twenty-five  or 
thirty  years  ago,  are  still  unbroken.  That  the  memory 
of  my  work  as  a  spirit  medium  is  tenderly  cherished,  is 
proven  by  the  letters  of  kind  sympathy  that  I  so  fre- 
quently receive  ;  but  sweeter  far  than  all  these  memo- 
ries is  the  ministry  of  angels  unto  me  in  my  helplessness 
and  suffering  as  I  now  lie  upon  a  bed  from  which  I 
may  not  hope  to  rise  in  this  life.  The  spirit  of  my 
dear  mother  comes  and  goes  before  my  spiritual  vision 
as  plainly  as  she  appeared  to  my  mortal  eyes  when 
living.     And  I  find  strength  and  comfort  from  the 


6  AUTHOR'S  PREFACE. 

dear  ones  who  wait  unseen  by  my  side  until  I  can  in 
truth  say,  "  Death"  has  lost  its  "  sting"  and  "  grave" 
its  "  victory." 

I  thank  God  that  this  spirit  knowledge  is  spreading 
broadcast  through  all  lands  ;  that  mediums  with  more 
perfect  gifts  than  mine  are  developing  each  day,  to 
carry  to  all  who  will  receive  the  glad  tidings  of  a 
demonstrated  immortality. 

NETTIE  COLBURN  MAYNARD. 

White  Plains,  New  York, 
September,  1891. 


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WAS  ABRAHAM   LINCOLN  A 
SPIRITUALIST? 


CHAPTER  I. 

EARLY    MEMORIES. 

Peculiar  stair- way  noises — The  clock  strikes — Grandmother  dies 
— The  clock  again  warns  us — Grandmother  calls  from  the 
Spirit  world — My  father  hears  strokes  on  the  house  side — 
Grandfather  dies. 

OMITTING  the  preliminary  description  of  the 
surroundings  of  my  early  childhood  and  the 
conditions  of  birth  and  similar  matters,  it  will  interest 
the  reader  to  enter  without  delay  upon  the  story  which 
leads  up  to  the  events  to  which  all  interest  in  this 
volume  must  attach.  One  evening  in  the  winter  of 
1845,  in  the  town  of  Bolton,  Conn.,  where  my  father's 
family  resided,  we  were  sitting  about  the  large  old- 
fashioned  kitchen-table,  which  was  lighted  by  means 
of  oil  lamps,  in  common  use  by  all  country  people  of 
those  days.     The  room  was  a  large  square  one,  having 

(7) 


8  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

in  one  corner  a  door,  which  led  to  the  rooms  above,  its 
only  fastening  an  iron  latch,  which  held  it  in  place. 
While  the  murmur  of  conversation  was  going  on,  we 
were  suddenly  startled  by  a  sound  which  resembled 
the  noise  produced  by  hurling  a  heavy  log  down  the 
stair-way  against  the  door  here  mentioned.  There 
was  no  mistaking  the  locality,  as  the  sound  was  suf- 
ficiently loud  to  shatter  the  door,  which  it  would  have 
done  had  it  been  caused  by  means  which  the  noise  indi- 
cated, and  by  any  object  capable  of  making  so  crashing 
a  sound. 

Not  one  of  the  half-dozen  persons  seated  at  the 
table  moved  for  some  few  seconds  following ;  their 
startled,  white  faces  testifying  to  their  consternation. 
Before  any  one  had  spoken  the  sound  was  repeated 
with  equal  force,  and  seemed  to  jar  the  entire  room. 
This  time,  my  mother,  who  was  a  fearless  woman  under 
ordinary  circumstances,  pale  and  trembling,  took  up  a 
lamp  to  investigate  the  matter.  She  had  scarcely  risen, 
with  face  toward  the  door,  when  the  noise  was  repeated 
for  the  third  time.  Not  hesitating,  but  with  blanched 
face,  holding  the  light  aloft,  she  threw  open  the  stair- 
door  ;  not  a  sound,  not  an  object  answered  her  look 
and  voice.  Utter  silence  reigned  in  the  chambers 
above.  Father  was  absent  at  the  time,  and  our  nearest 
neighbor  was  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  away. 
However,  my  sisters,  who  were  grown  to  womanhood, 
followed  by  myself,  went  with  my  mother  throughout 


EARLY  MEMORIES.  9 

the  entire  building,  to  find  no  intruder  of  any  sort, 
nor  could  we  find  any  evidence  of  the  cause  of  the 
peculiar  noises.  As  we  returned  to  the  kitchen  the 
large  clock  on  the  high  mantel-piece  struck  eight.  .  .  . 
Three  days  later,  while  the  matter  was  the  subject 
of  constant  conversation,  we  received  news  of  the 
death  of  my  father's  mother,  who  had  died  at  Stafford 
Springs,  at  eight  o^  clock  on  the  evening  of  the  day 
of  our  strange  experiences.  The  time  elapsing  between 
the  stair-way  noises  and  the  striking  of  the  hour,  we 
afterwards  ascertained,  was  the  exact  difference  be- 
tween grandfather's  watch  and  our  clock ;  we,  there- 
fore, knew  that  at  the  time  of  the  stair-way  noises 
grandmother  had  passed  to  the  Grreat  beyond,  and  that 
the  period  of  departure  was  precisely  ten  minutes 
before  eight  o'clock.  My  grandfather,  from  this  time 
forward  to  that  of  his  death,  was  a  member  of  our 
household. 

In  the  early  fall  of  1849,  while  residing  near  the 
Coventry  line,  I  was  lying  ill  with  typhus  fever,  close 
unto  death.  On  this  evening,  which  I  am  about  to 
mention,  my  condition  was  better.  Father  and  an 
older  sister  were  seated  in  the  room  playing  a  game  of 
checkers,  while  near  them  looking  on  sat  mother. 
They  were  very  quiet  lest  I  might  be  disturbed. 
Directly  fronting  me  on  the  mantel  stood  the  clock, 
which  was  of  the  old  Bristol  pattern,  with  iron  weights. 
It  had  not  been  wound  for  more  than  a  year,  and  the 


10  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTS 

cord  which  upheld  the  "strike-weight"  was  broken. 
At  once,  amid  the  stillness,  the  clock  struck  one.  The 
effect  was  electrical.  Father,  more  astonished  than 
frightened,  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  opened  the  clock 
door  to  find  the  wire  still  vibrating.  In  the  face  of  the 
presence  of  the  long  broken  cord,  there  was  no  method 
to  account  for  the  striking.  The  game  of  checkers 
was  never  finished,  and  I  was  wearied  with  questions 
as  to  my  welfare — my  family  believing  that  this  was 
but  a  strange  herald  of  my  departure.  Three  weeks 
later,  and  after  I  had  recovered,  my  grandfather  re- 
ceived a  slight  paralytic  attack  while  descending  the 
stairs  ;  mother  helped  him  to  bed,  administering  some 
medicine,  which  quieted  him  for  a  time.  She  soon  after 
was  called  to  his  bedside,  when  he  told  her  that  "  Millie 
[his  deceased  wife]  has  just  been  here  ;^^  to  which 
mother  replied,  "  You  have  been  dreaming."  "  No," 
he  said,  "  she  bent  over  me,  called  me  by  name,  and 
put  her  cold  hand  upon  my  side  ;  I  felt  it."  Finding 
that  he  could  not  be  dissuaded  from  this  thought  she 
changed  the  subject.  A  few  days  after  this  incident, 
my  father  arose  very  early  for  the  purpose  of  cleaning 
an  elevated  oven  belonging  to  an  old  stove,  and  while 
in  the  yard  vigorously  shaking  it,  was  startled  by  the 
noise  of  three  severe  strokes  upon  the  corner  of  the 
house  below  the  eaves — so  distinct  that  the  sound 
could  be  exactly  located.  He  at  once  went  into  the 
house   to  the   room   where   grandfather  lay,  directly 


EARLY  MEMORIES.  H 

within  the  spot  where  the  noise  occurred,  only  to 
find  grandfather  peacefully  sleeping.  Finding  no  one 
about,  it  occurred  to  him  that  the  noises  were  surpris- 
ing. On  going  to  mother's  room  he  informed  her,  but 
she  induced  him  to  believe  he  was  mistaken  and  to 
return  to  his  work,  which  he  did.  Whereupon,  taking 
up  the  oven,  he  heard  an  exact  repetition  of  the  noises 
in  the  same  place.  He  sought  in  vain  for  a  solution 
of  the  mystery ;  when  again,  for  the  third  time,  the 
noise  was  repeated.  He  afterwards  confessed  that  he 
was  unnerved  for  the  day.  For  a  week  or  more  fol- 
lowing this  occurrence,  grandfather  appeared  unusu- 
ally well.  On  the  ninth  day  he  did  not  join  the 
family  at  breakfast,  saying  he  did  not  feel  well  and 
wished  mother  to  serve  him  a  cup  of  tea.  I  went 
with  mother  to  his  room,  and  found  him  sitting  up  in 
bed  breathing  heavily;  he  desired  me  to  send  for 
Amasa  (my  father,  who  had  left  him  an  hour  previous), 
saying,  "  I  am  going  to  die, /or  Millie  has  called  me 
againJ'^  Mother  sent  for  father  and  comforted  grand- 
father. Within  half  an  hour,  and  before  father  re- 
turned, grandfather  had  joined  the  voice  that  called 
him,  and  was  with  her  in  the  Great  Beyond,  without 
the  shadow  of  death. 

As  will  be  seen  by  the  date  (1845),  I  was  a  mere 
child,  and  Spiritualism  was  comparatively  unknowi  to 
the  world  and  entirely  unknown,  I  am  quite  sure,  in 


12  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

our  little  old-fashioned  village  ;  but  in  after  years, 
when  we  heard  of  Spirit  manifestations,  we  came  to 
know  that  these  results  were  the  attempts  at  com- 
munication on  the  part  of  our  Spirit  friends. 


THE  MYSTERY  DEEPENS,  13 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  MYSTERY  DEEPENS. 

Strange  phenomena — Spirit-rapping — My  gift  of  raediumship 
discovered  —  My  father's  discovery  —  Asa  Rogers  —  Bu- 
chanan's election — Written  communications  come  through 
my  mediumship. 

IN  the  year  1855  we  resided  with  my  parents  in 
the  city  of  Hartford,  Conn.  One  day,  during  the 
summer  of  that  year,  my  father  related  at  the  dinner 
table  certain  strange  phenomena  that  he  had  witnessed 
at  the  warerooms  of  the  firm  of  Elton  &  Deming,  fur- 
niture-dealers of  that  city,  and  stated  that  a  young 
man,  hardly  30  years  of  age,  of  "slight  build,  possessed 
a  wonderful  gift  whereby  he  could  move  the  heaviest 
pieces  of  furniture  about  the  building,  by  simply  lay- 
ing his  fingers  upon  them  and  requesting  them  to  fol- 
low him ;  that  he  had  done  this  repeatedly  during  the 
forenoon ;  and  that  a  heavy  secretary,  to  move  which 
required  the  strength  of  four  or  five  men,  would  move 
across  the  floor  with  perfect  ease  if  he  but  placed  the 
tips  of  his  fingers  thereon,  requesting  it  to  follow  him. 
He  said  the  young  man  could  do  this  at  any  time  and 
place,  and  he  wished  to  arrange  with  him  to  pass  an 
evening  at  our  house,  that  my  mother  and  the  family 


14  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

mi;:!;ht  witness  these  curious  phenomena.  Two  even- 
ings later  he  came  and  proceeded  to  demonstrate  his 
ability,  making  no  explanation  whatever  of  the  strange 
power  he  seemed  to  possess.  We  were  all  soon  seated 
about  the  dining- table,  following  his  directions  by 
placing  our  hands  flatly  upon  the  surface.  In  a  few 
moments  the  table  began  rocking  to  and  fro,  and  the 
united  force  of  all  present  was  unable  to  prevent  its 
motions.  Instructing  my  father  what  to  say,  he  began 
questioning  the  table  as  if  it  possessed  intelligence  ; 
the  motion  ceased,  and  a  loud,  distinct  rap  was  heard 
whose  source  we  sought  in  vain  ;  but  to  all  questions  it 
responded  quickly  and  with  a  decided  intelligence  that 
denoted  that  it  understood  all  that  was  spoken.  At 
last  the  young  man  spoke  and  said  the  raps  were  so 
clear  and  distinct,  and  the  power  apparently  so  great, 
that  there  must  be  others  present  possessing  this  gift 
(as  he  termed  it)  ;  and  upon  asking  the  question  of 
this  unseen  Intelligence  of  this  fact  a  quick  response 
in  the  affirmative  was  given.  On  further  inquiry  it 
stated  that  I  possessed  the  gift  in  a  marked  degree  ; 
it  also  declared  that  my  mother  and  eldest  brother 
possessed  the  same  gift,  but  not  to  the  same  extent. 
Many  strange  things  were  rapped  out  in  response  to 
questions,  and  the  Intelligence  claimed  to  be  ray 
grandfather,  and  many  names  were  spelled  of  deceased 
friends  and  relatives  of  whom  the  young  man  could 
have  had  no  possible  knowledge.     This  curious  mani- 


THE  MYSTERY  DEEPENS.  15 

festation  ended  by  his  requesting  the  power  to  display 
its  force  by  turning  the  table  bottom  upwards ;  which 
loas  done,  it  being  carefully  raised  clear  from  the  sup- 
port and  laid  flat  upon  the  floor  with  the  legs  upwards 
without  any  hand  thereon  save  his  own.  The  name  of 
this  young  man  was  Thomas  Cook.  I  have  never  met 
him,  nor  heard  of  him  since  that  time.*  The  matter 
afforded  material  for  conversation  for  a  few  days  and 
was  forgotten. 

A  year  later  a  young  acquaintance  came  into  our 
house  and  excitedly  asked  me  if  I  knew  anything 
about  spirit-rapping.  In  surprise,-!  said  "  No,"  when 
she  related  the  astonishing  fact  that  some  friends  were 
visiting  at  her  house,  and  that  their  little  fifteen 
months'  old  baby  was  what  they  called  a  "  spirit 
medium."  When  the  little  thing  was  seated  at  a 
table,  in  its  high  chair,  curious  manifestations  would 
occur,  such  as  dishes  moving  without  visible  contact, 
the  table  rising  and  falling,  and  loud  raps  being  heard 
in  diff'erent  parts  of  the  room.  She  further  stated 
that  every  morning  since  their  arrival  they  would  find 
that  during  the  night  the  furniture  of  the  house  had 
been  displaced,  pictures  removed  from  the  walls,  and  ; 
many    other    peculiar    occurrences    took     place    for  ' 

*  There  Is  now  residing  at  Chicago,  111.,  a  writer  named 
Thomas  Cook.  Whether  he  may  be  the  acquaintance  of  my 
youth  I  am  not  informed. 


16  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

which  no  one  could  account,  save  that  this  invisible 
agency  had  been  at  work  while  all  in  the  house  were 
sleeping.  She  concluded  her  strange  story  by  saying, 
"And  the  spirits  say  that  I  am  a  medium."  As  she 
uttered  the  words,  I  recollected  the  curious  seance  of 
the  year  before,  when  the  same  statement  had  been 
made  about  myself ;  and  instantly  I  said,  "  Oh 
yes,  I  know  all  about  it,  for  I  witnessed  something 
of  this  myself,  and  they  told  me  also  that  I  am  a 
medium."  We  were  both  mere  children,  and  compre- 
hended nothing  of  the  magnitude  of  the  subject  of 
which  we  were  speaking,  but  with  the  egotism  of  in- 
experience and  the  love  of  novelty  peculiar  to  the 
young,  were  anxious  to  know  more  concerning  this 
power  we  were  said  to  possess.  My  friend  Eunice 
instantly  proposed  that  we  sit  down  and  see  if  we  could 
make  a  hall  "  lamp-stand"  move.  Retiring  to  my  own 
room,  we  sat  down  by  a  stand,  placed  our  hands  upon 
it,  as  I  remembered  we  had  done  on  the  only  occasion  in 
which  I  had  witnessed  the  manifestations  of  this  strange 
phenomenon,  and  sat  patiently  listening  and  waiting 
for  something  to  happen.  During  this  time,  my  mother 
entered  the  room  and  we  told  her  what  we  were  doing  ; 
she  stood  by  us  and  listened,  but  no  sound  or  move- 
ment rewarded  our  patience.  At  the  end  of  half  an 
hour,  wearied  with  sitting  in  silence,  we  abandoned 
the  effort. 


THE  MYSTERY  DEEPENS.  17 

The  next  day  she  came  to  see  me,  full  of  excited 
interest,  repeating  the  marvels  of  the  day  before,  and 
saying  that  spirits  had  directed  that  we  should  sit 
again.  This  we  did,  and  for  another  half  hour  sat  pa- 
tiently silent  and  listening,  placing  our  hands  upon  the 
stand,  but  nothing  rewarded  our  efforts.  This  was 
repeated  day  after  day  for  a  week,  as  every  day  Eunice 
would  return,  directed  so  to  do,  as  she  affirmed,  by  the 
spirits,  as  they  manifested  themselves  through  the 
infant,  the  little  child  at  her  house.  Being  but  chil- 
dren ourselves,  we  became  weary  of  these  repeated 
failures,  and  on  this  last  occasion  I  asserted,  "  If  no- 
thing comes  this  time,  I  will  not  sit  again,  and  they 
need  not  ask  me  to."  We  had  scarcely  seated  our- 
selves and  placed  our  hands  upon  the  table,  when 
three  loud  distinct  raps  sounded  beneath  our  fingers. 
We  sprung  up  in  affright,  upsetting  the  chairs  in  our 
excitement,  and  rushed  from  the  room.  My  mother, 
hearing  the  confusion,  met  us,  and  we  explained ;  she 
thereupon  persuaded  us  to  go  back  and  try  again,  she 
going  with  us.  At  this  moment  my  father  entered 
the  house,  and  feeling  encouraged  by  his  presence,  we 
sat  down,  when  the  raps  came  readily,  responding  to 
any  and  all  questions,  stating  distinctly  that  I  was  the 
medium  for  this  peculiar  form  of  manifestation,  and 
desiring  that  T  sit  at  regular  intervals,  as  they  desired 

to  use  me  to  make  revelations  to  the  world  to  demon- 
2 


18  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPiniTUALTST? 

strate  the  truth  of  immortality.*  From  this  time  for- 
ward, on  all  occasions  when  it  seemed  proper  and 
right  so  to  do,  this  power  would  manifest  itself,  and  I 
could  readily  obtain  responses  to  questions. 

The  development  of  this  curious  gift  naturally  drew 
attention  and  brought  many  visitors  to  our  house. 
Prominent  among  them  was  Asa  Rogers,!  ^^  the  firm 
of  Rogers  Bros.,  who  I  believe  introduced  silver-plat- 
ing into  this  country.  I  spent  a  number  of  weeks  at 
his  house,  and  he  wished  at  that  time  to  adopt  me  as 

*  My  father  tested  the  matter  in  a  systematic  manner,  hav- 
ing me  stand  away  from  the  stand,  after  first  examining  it  upon 
all  sides,  and  then  repeating  the  question  in  many  forms  for  an 
hour  or  more.  When  he  became  fully  convinced  and  satisfied 
that  the  answers  were  from  an  intelligent  unseen  power,  who 
could  give  him  messages  from  his  dead  friends,  and  names  and 
dates  which  I  did  not  know,  he  seemed  completely  overcome, 
and,  bowing  his  head  upon  his  hands,  wept  like  a  child.  We 
were  all  alarmed  at  this,  and  mother  placed  her  hand  upon  his 
head,  saying,  "  Father,  what  is  the  matter?"  For  a  moment 
he  could  not  reply,  but,  mastering  his  emotions,  said  feelingly  : 
*' You  do  not  realize  what  this  is  to  me;  for  years  you  know 
that  I  have  doubted  the  immortality  of  man,  for  1  could  not 
accept  the  common  teachings,  as  they  were  not  based  on  evi- 
dent proofs  that  satisfied  my  mind  ;  but  if  this  is  true,  and  from 
the  evidences  before  my  eyes  I  cannot  doubt  that  it  is,  '  then 
we  are  immortal  beings,  and  life  has  some  object  beyond  the 
mere  object  of  living ;'  and  this  child  has  brought  me  more  than 
ell  the  wealth  of  the  world  can  give." 

t  See  appended  letters  at  end  of  volume. 


THE  MYSTERY  DEEPENS.  19 

his  own  child,  offering  every  inducement  to  that  end ; 
and,  notwithstanding  his  was  a  home  of  affluence,  and 
my  own  that  of  the  laboring  man,  the  ties  of  affection 
were  not  easily  broken.  He  never,  however,  ceased  to 
show  his  kindly  interest  in  me  to  the  day  of  his  death, 
as  some  of  his  letters  appended  hereto  will  indicate. 

For  nearly  a  year  after  this  curious  development,  I 
was  engaged  almost  every  evening,  either  at  my  own 
home  or  at  the  homes  of  those  who  sought  me  out, 
exercising  this  new  gift ;  and  people  came  from  near 
and  far  to  have  me  sit  at  the  table  for  them,  as  they 
claimed  to  receive  surprising  revelations  from  deceased 
relatives  of  whom  I  could  have  no  possible  previous 
knowledge. 

Just  at  this  time  the  exciting  campaign  between 
James  Buchanan  and  John  C.  Fremont  was  at  its 
height.  My  father  was  a  staunch  Fremont  man,  and, 
as  a  matter  of  course,  what  interest  I  could  have  in 
such  a  matter  would  manifest  itself  in  sympathy  with 
his  ideas,  although  I  was  too  young  and  inexperienced 
to  understand  clearly  either  side  of  the  questions  at 
issue. 

The  day  before  the  election  excitement  and  feeling 
ran  high.  A  number  of  guests  were  at  dinner,  and 
my  father  was  affirming  his  confidence  in  the  election 
of  his  candidate,  when  my  hand  was  seized  by  a  power 
I  could  not  control  and  was  violently  shaken.  I  was 
frightened,  and  knew  not  what  to  do,  trying  to  hold  my 


20  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

right  hand  still  with  my  left.  My  father  watched  me 
for  an  instant ;  then,  quickly  taking  his  pencil  from  his 
pocket,  he  placed  a  piece  of  paper  hastily  before  me 
and  the  pencil  in  my  right  hand.  Instantly  the  name 
"  Buchanan"  was  scrawled  upon  the  paper  ;  as  it  was 
written,  loud  raps  came  upon  the  table.  With  a  startled 
look,  he  questioned  :  "  Do  you  mean  us  to  understand 
that  Buchanan  will  be  elected  to-morrow  ?"  The 
response  came  quickly  in  the  affirmative,  distinct  and 
loud.  The  i^esult  of  the  morrow^ §  election  verified  the 
prediction.  This  was  the  first  time  my  hand  was  ever 
used  for  mechanical  writing ;  but  from  that  day  for- 
ward, by  sitting  quietly  with  pencil  in  my  hand  resting 
upon  paper,  it  would  be  mechanically  moved  ;  and 
many  pages  were  thus,  written  without  any  volition  on 
my  part.  I  could  converse  while  this  writing  was 
going  on,  evidencing  that  I  had  no  control  whatever 
over  it.  This  phase  of  my  gift,  continued  at  various 
times  and  occasions,  excited  much  interest,  and  our 
quiet  home  was  constantly  besieged  by  eager  inquirers, 
who  wished  to  witness  these  peculiar  manifestations. 


FURTHER  DEVELOPMENTS.  21 


CHAPTER  III. 

FURTHER  DEVELOPMENTS. 

I  meet  Ex-Gov.  Seymour  of  Conn. — Am  kindly  welcomed 
everywhere — Speak  at  Pequanock,  Conn. — My  friend 
Flavia  Howe — Go  to  Windsor  and  Warehouse  Point — My 
public  career  is  inaugurated. 

SOME  TIME  after  this  I  was  invited,  with  a  number 
of  others,  to  attend  a  seance  at  the  home  of  my 
sister,  Mrs.  Walker  (now  Mrs.  Henry  Standfast,  who 
resides  at  Tople  Bampo,  Mexico,  and  who  can  verify 
this  statement).  Among  the  guests  present  was 
Thomas  H.  Seymour,  who  had  been  governor  of  the 
State,  and  who  also  held  many  other  offices  under  our 
government.  I  was  seated  at  the  table  with  my  sister 
and  a  number  of  others,  when  the  rappings  were  heard, 
and  my  hand  was  moved  to  write  a  message  to  some  one 
in  the  room.  As  the  pencil  dropped  from  my  fingers. 
Governor  Seymour,  who  was  standing  behind  me,  laid 
his  hand  upon  my  head,  and  in  a  moment  a  quiet, 
dreamy  feeling  stole  over  me,  and  a  prickly  sensation 
passed  through  my  fingers  and  along  my  arms.  This 
is  the  last  I  remember  until  an  hour  later  when  I 
awoke  in  a  different  part  of  the  room,  finding  myself 
seated  on  the  sofa  with  the  company  gathered  about 


22  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

me.  It  appeared  that  I  had  been  completely  entranced, 
had  personated  different  individuals  who  were  known 
to  be  in  the  spirit  world,  and  had  spoken  to  a  number 
present,  giving  messages  that  were  recognized  as  from 
deceased  friends ;  the  parties  thus  addressed  being 
entire  strangers  to  me.  Of  these  messages,  or  their 
import  or  significance  to  those  to  whom  given,  I  had  no 
recollection  whatever.  The  time  had  been  a  blank,  and 
my  awakening  impressed  me  as  simply  being  aroused 
from  a  natural  sleep,  with  the  exception  of  a  return 
of  the  prickly  sensation  in  my  hands  and  arms  which 
gradually  left  me,  and  I  was  conscious  of  no  ill  effects 
from  this  new  and  strange  experience. 

From  this  time  forward,  whenever  I  sat  down  for 
the  purpose  of  writing,  or  getting  the  raps,  I  would, 
when  it  seemed  desirable,  be  entranced,  and  com- 
munications be  given,  and  on  occasions  when  large 
companies  were  present,  some  influence  would  take 
possession  of  me  and  deliver  what  seemed  to  be  an 
address  upon  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  the 
human  family,  so  full  of  instruction  as  to  satisfy  the 
most  sceptical,  and  so  complete  that  it  could  not  have 
originated  with  myself. 

It  was  in  this  way  that  I  became  invested  with  my 
strange  gift  of  mediumship.  It  came  to  me  in  a  sense 
unsought,  and  took  me,  an  untaught  child,  from  my 
humble  home  in  the  ranks  of  the  laboring  people,  and 
led  me  forth,  a  teacher  of  the  sublime  truth  of  im- 


FURTHER  DEVELOPMENTS.  23 

mortality,  opening  to  me  the  doors  of  the  wealthy 
and  the  prominent,  as  well  as  leading  among  the  poor 
and  lowly,  speaking  through  my  unconscious  lips 
words  of  strength  and  consolation,  suited  to  all  con- 
ditions, until  everywhere,  from  the  farmer's  quiet  fire- 
side to  the  palatial  city  mansion,  I  found  only  words 
of  welcome  and  kindly  care. 

Late  in  the  fall  of  1856  a  large  company  were 
gathered  at  my  father's  house,  and  among  them  a 
gentleman  by  the  name  of  Welch.  On  this  occasion  I 
had  been  controlled  to  deliver  a  lecture  upon  some 
religious  subject,  and  when  the  seance  was  over,  Mr. 
Welch  asked  my  father  to  permit  me  to  deliver  a  lecture 
in  a  public  hall,  saying  I  ought  to  be  upon  the  rostrum 
teaching,  and  that  if  he  would  consent  he  would  make 
every  arrangement  and  provision  for  the  same.  My 
father  half  reluctantly  consented.  For  myself  I  re- 
fused to  do  this  unless  a  friend,  whose  acquaintance 
I  had  made  some  time  previously,  would  accompany 
me  and  share  in  the  exercises.  This  young  girl  was 
Miss  Flavia  Howe,  of  Windsor,  Conn.,  herself  a  fine 
medium,  giving  much  of  her  time  to  clairvoyant  ex- 
aminations of  the  sick.  Mr.  Welch  visited  her  home  ; 
she  consented  to  join  me  ;  and  he  then  engaged  a 
hall  in  Pequanock,  Conn.,  and  freely  advertised  the 
lecture  which  took  place  on  Christmas  eve. 

In  those  days  spiritualism  was  an  unpopular  theme  ; 
yet,  notwithstanding  the  public  prejudices,  the  pleasant 


24:  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

hall  was  filled  with  a  curious  company  anxious  to  hear 
a  trance-speaker  expound  the  new  doctrine.  On  the 
rostrum  were  seated  Mr.  Welch,  the  presiding  elder  of 
the  occasion  ;  a  Dr.  Norton,  of  Hartford,  a  clairvoyant 
physician  ;  Miss  Flavia,  and  myself.  I  shall  never  for- 
get the  sinking  sensation  I  experienced,  and  how  my 
heart  palpitated  in  facing  the  sea  of  faces  on  this  my  first 
public  appearance.  I  felt  I  should  never  become  passive 
enough,  or  still  the  violent  throbbings  of  my  heart 
sufficiently  to  enable  the  unseen  intelligence  to  obtain 
control.  I  felt  the  color  come  and  go  in  my  cheeks, 
and  experienced  all  the  trepidation  of  "  stage  fright " 
that  could  characterize  a  novice  for  the  first  time 
facing  a  critical  multitude.  My  young  companion 
Flavia  was  not  so  troubled,  as  she  knew  many  of  those 
present,  there  being  large  numbers  from  her  own 
village,  Pequanock,  which  is  a  part  of  the  town  of 
Windsor,  where  she  was  likewise  well  acquainted. 

Dr.  Norton,  being  a  man  past  middle  age  and  having 
been  long  before  the  public  in  the  capacity  of  clair- 
voyant physician,  had  full  possession  of  his  nervous 
system.  Mr.  Welch  stepped  forward  to  the  front  of 
the  stage  and  requested  those  that  could  to  join  in 
singing  some  familiar  hymn.  He  said  it  would  assist 
conditions.  Very  soon  a  thin  quavering  voice  started 
the  familiar  line — 

"  When  I  can  read  my  title  clear," 


FURTHER  DEVELOPMENTS.  25 

which  was  soon  joined  from  another  side  of  the  hall 
by  a  strong  voice  with  a  decided  nasal  tone,  one  after 
another  joining  in.  The  chorus  was  full  and  strong  by 
the  time  the  first  verse  was  ended.  Some  of  the 
comical  features  of  this  attempt  at  creating  "  con- 
ditions" occurring  to  my  mind,  diverted  me  for  the 
moment  from  the  part  I  was  expected  to  play  in  the 
evening's  entertainment.  This  moment  was  evidently 
improved  by  my  unseen  friends,  as  I  immediately  lost 
consciousness  of  what  was  passing  around  me  and 
knew  nothing  further  until  an  hour  and  a  half  later, 
when  the  exercises  were  over.  It  seemed  that  my 
friend  Flavia  had  been  used  to  open  the  meeting  with 
a  beautiful  invocation,  after  which  our  spirit  friends 
had  taken  me  to  the  front  of  the  rostrum  and  delivered 
an  address  from  the  text — 

"  Can  any  good  thing  come  out  of  Nazareth  ?" 

The  text  had  been  suggested  by  the  fact  that  many 
unkind  remarks  had  been  made  throughout  the  town 
regarding  the  forthcoming  meeting,  saying  there  could 
be  no  good  in  it,  as  it  had  all  been  originated  among 
people  no  one  knew  anything  about,  etc.  At  the  con- 
clusion of  the  address,  which  I  learned  was  frequently 
applauded  as  it  progressed.  Dr.  Norton  was  controlled 
to  pronounce  a  benediction,  and  the  meeting  was  dis- 
missed. Many  crowded  around  me  with  congratula- 
tions, asking  me  questions  regarding  my  strange  gift. 


26  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

My  father  and  mother,  both  being  present,  were  ques- 
tioned regarding  me  and  the  advantages  I  must  have 
had  to  be  able  to  speak  with  such  fluency  and  readiness 
on  matters  supposed  to  be  only  discussed  by  learned 
divines  or  those  who  had  made  such  subjects  a  life 
study.  My  youth  forbade  the  belief  that  I  had 
studied  for  any  length  of  time  upon  any  subject, 
and  when  my  father  assured  them  that  my  fragile 
health  from  childhood  had  prevented  me  receiving 
even  the  ordinary  instruction  that  girls  of  my  years 
were  supposed  to  enjoy,  the  wonder  increased.  For 
myself,  I  was  simply  pleased  with  the  novelty  of  the 
position  and  the  pleasant  life  that  seemed  to  open 
before  me. 

On  this  same  day  a  gentleman  partially  engaged 
me  to  speak  in  a  church  in  Windsor  the  next  evening. 
After  consulting  my  friend  Flavia  and  getting  her  to 
promise  to  join  me  therein,  I  agreed  to  accept.  The 
scenes  of  this  occasion  were  a  repetition  of  those  of 
the  last  evening,  and  at  its  close  a  gentleman  from 
Warehouse  Point,  who  was  present  in  the  audience, 
engaged  me  to  speak  in  that  village  one  evening  the 
following  week.  This  engagement  I  also  kept,  accom- 
panied by  my  young  friend  Flavia.  At  this  gathering 
a  gentleman  was  present,  whose  home  was  Winsted, 
Conn.,  and  who  on  this  occasion  arranged  with  me  to 
lecture  every  two  Sundays,  for  three  months  there- 
after, in  the  town  of   Winsted.      Still  feeling  timid 


FURTHER  DEVELOPMENTS.  27 

about  going  alone  so  far  from  home,  I  persuaded  the 
parents  of  my  friend  to  let  her  remain  my  compan  on. 
This  she  became,  and  my  career  as  a  public  lectirer 
was  fully  inaugurated. 

"  How  bright  and  sunny  look  those  far-off  dc  ys ; 
how  clearly  rises  before  me  the  tall,  graceful,  sle  ier 
figure  of  my  young  friend  ;  her  long  curls  flowin  y  ^  ver 
her  shoulders,  her  bright,  clear  gray  eyes  ful:  of 
laughter,  looking  into  mine.  To-day  she  is  a  staid 
wife  and  mother  ;  her  name  a  household  word  through- 
out New  England;  while  the  sick  and  suffering  every- 
where rise  up  and  call  her  blessed.  Oh,  Flavia ! 
Flavia !  wherever  you  are,  surrounded  by  household 
cares,  the  love  of  husband  and  children,  do  your 
thoughts  ever  turn  backward  to  the  dear  old  times 
as  girls  together  we  kept  our  diary  and  planned  our 
innocent  frolics  in  the  '  Old  lang  syne  V  " 


28  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A    STKANGE    ADVENTURE. 

Receive  a  call  to  speak  in  Albany — Mr,  M.  wants  my  friend  to 
be  the  "Princess"  of  his  city  of  a  thousand  wives — We 
have  an  adventure  in  which  the  spirits  aid  us — We  leave 
hurriedly. 

FOR  three  years  that  followed  I  lectured  in  many 
New  England  towns  and  villages  ;  but,  owing  to 
the  fact  of  being  retained  for  months  at  a  time  in 
filling  these  several  engagements,  I  did  not  become 
widely  known  to  the  public  as  a  "  Spiritual  Lecturer" — 
home  duties  requiring  my  friend  Flavia  to  return  after 
the  first  year  of  our  association.  I  found  another 
congenial  companion  in  a  Miss  Parnie  R.  Hannum,  of 
South  Adams,  Mass.,  who,  in  after  years,  married  my 
father's  youngest  brother,  and  is  now  known  as  Mrs. 
E.  R.  Colburn.  During  one  of  my  visits  to  Lee,  Mass., 
in  the  year  1858,  I  received  a  call  to  speak  in  the  city 
of  Albany,  N.  Y.  There  were  but  few  confessed 
Spiritualists  in  the  city  at  this  time  ;  and  accepting 
the  call,  we  proceeded  thence,  where  we  arrived  one 
bleak  winter's  day,  to  be  met  by  a  Mr.  Fellows,  who  was 
the  presiding  officer  of  the  little  handful  of  the  faith- 
ful, who  were  striving  to  hold  meetings  in  a  tiny  hall 


MRS.  PARTHENIA  CO^BURN. 
From   photograph    from   life,    iS6o. 


A  STRANGE  ADVENTURE.  29 

up  two  flights  of  stairs.  We  were  escorted  by  him  to 
the  home  of  Mr.  M.  (I  designedly  omit  the  name,  as 
he  has  now  passed  beyond  the  realm  of  mortality,  and 
his  amiable  and  lovable  wife  is,  I  am  told,  blessing 
the  world  with  her  Spiritualistic  gifts),  and  left  there 
with  utter  strangers.  We  endeavored  to  make  our- 
selves comfortable,  but  soon  saw  that  there  was  some- 
thing strange  in  the  house,  as  was  indicated  by  the 
anxious  face  of  Mrs.  M.  Her  nervous  unrest  and  the 
sudden  opening  and  shutting  of  doors  in  the  other 
parts  of  the  house,  the  sound  of  which  reached  our 
ears,  began  to  have  its  effect  upon  us  and  cause 
no  little  nervous  anxiety.  As  dusk  approached 
Mr.  M.  entered  the  room.  He  was  a  fine  appearing, 
portly  gentleman,  and  to  all  outward  manner  greeted 
us  with  cordiality,  and  a  clear  understanding  of  our 
position  in  the  house  ;  yet  we  could  not  but  notice 
that  his  wife  watched  him  with  anxiety ;  and  when  all 
were  ushered  into  the  dining-room,  we  saw  no  decrease 
in  her  anxious  manner  and  watchfulness.  The  meal 
passed  in  silence,  and  we  returned  again  to  the  parlor  ; 
when  Mr.  M.,  suddenly  springing  to  his  feet,  began  to 
speak  in  an  excited  manner,  declaring  that  he  was 
about  to  found  a  city  that  "  would  rival  the  city  of 
Utah  ;"  that  it  had  been  decreed  that  he  was  to  have 
one  thousand  wives  ;  and  he  at  once  declared  that  my 
friend  Parnie  was  elected  the  chief  thereof.  In  fear 
and  trembling  we  looked  at  Mrs.  M.,  and  taking  our 


30  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALLST? 

cue  from  her  hasty  words,  we  talked  pleasantly  with 
him  of  his  projected  kingdom.  At  the  time,  it  was 
dark  and  dreary,  and  snowing  fiercely,  and  we  felt 
ourselves  entrapped  and  in  the  presence  of  a  madman. 
A  most  uncomfortable  evening  followed.  We  besought 
Mrs.  M.  to  permit  us  to  go  out  into  the  street  and  find 
some  hotel  where  we  could  lodge  in  safety  until  the 
morning ;  but  she  assured  us  it  would  not  do  for  us  to 
make  any  change,  as  there  was  no  one  to  go  with  us  to 
lead  the  way  ;  and  at  the  same  time  giving  every  as- 
surance that  there  was  no  danger  in  remaining.  At 
nine  o'clock,  when  Mr.  M.  had  momentarily  left  the 
room,  we  insisted  upon  retiring.  Mrs.  M.  guided  us 
from  the  rear  stair-way  into  what  proved  an  open  attic 
or  garret,  each  end  of  which  was  partitioned,  and 
neatly  furnished.  To  one  of  these  rooms  she  led  us. 
A  frail  board  partition  and  a  shaky  door  on  leather 
hinges  were  the  only  barrier  between  us  and  the  "  rum 
maniac"  who  was  left  to  her  control. 

One  thought  on  entering  the  room  was  to  look  to 
the  fastening  of  the  door.  It  possessed  a  staple  and 
iron  hook,  but  so  worn  and  loose  in  their  sockets  that 
it  would  require  little  effort  to  make  them  of  no  avail. 

The  only  other  exit  from  the  room  was  the  small 
window  at  the  back,  and  looking  out  we  saw,  about 
six  feet  beneath,  a  sloping  shed  deeply  covered  with 
snow,  from  which  a  descent  to  the  ground  would  be 
easy.     We  made  up  our  minds  to  escape  by  the  win- 


A  STRANGE  ADVENTURE.  31 

dow,  should  it  become  necessary.  It  is  needless  to 
say  we  did  not  remove  our  clothing,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  put  on  our  outer  garments,  and  kept  our 
travelling  bag  in  readiness  to  be  cast  from  the  window, 
to  be  followed  by  ourselves  if  necessary.  We  removed 
the  fastening,  raised  the  window  an  inch,  disregarding 
the  cold  and  storm,  and  patiently  sat  awaiting  events. 
Our  preparations  had  been  scarcely  completed  when  a 
shower  of  clear  distinct  raps  was  heard  upon  our 
headboard.  We  instantly  put  ourselves  in  communica- 
tion with  our  invisible  protectors,  and  were  quickly 
assured  that  a  power  was  with  us  that  would  protect 
from  all  harm,  and  that  we  should  have  no  occasion  to 
use  the  window.  They  told  us  that  Mrs.  M.  was  a 
powerful  medium,  and  that  through  the  combined  forces 
of  her  mediumship  and  our  own  they  should  bar  the 
way  to  our  presence  against  this  madman. 

For  an  hour  all  was  quiet,  when  suddenly  we  heard 
heavy  steps  approaching  our  door.  Notwithstanding 
the  assurance  we  had  received  from  our  friends,  I  con- 
fess we  were  quickly  at  the  window,  with  it  upraised, 
ready  for  a  spring,  when  his  hand  came  heavily  upon 
the  leather  strap  outside.  He  endeavored  to  pull  the 
door  open,  saying  that  he  wished  to  see  the  "  princess," 
as  he  denominated  my  friend.  His  wife  was  instantly 
beside  him,  expostulating  and  begging  him  to  let  the 
"  princess"  rest  until  morning.  A  parley  ensued. 
Again  he  tried  the   door,  and,  with  a  wrench  that 


82  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

seemed  to  us  must  take  it  from  its  poor  liinges,  made 
the  partition  shake  ;  yet,  strange  to  say,  it  did  not 
give  way.  Our  hearts  were  beating  wildly,  and  my 
friend  was  already  on  the  window-sill,  ready  for  a 
spring,  and  I  on  the  chair  beside  her  to  follow. 
Again  he  wrenched  at  the  door,  determined  to  enter. 
It  resisted  all  his  efforts,  and  after  repeated  trials  he 
abandoned  the  attempt  and  retreated. 

We  then  examined  the  door,  and,  without  trouble,' 
pulled  out  the  staple  with  our  fingers.  What  had  held 
it  in  its  place  I  cannot  answer.  I  only  know  the  fact, 
and  realized  that  we  felt  the  mantle  of  invisible  pro- 
tection around  us  from  that  moment,  and  fearlessly 
lay  down  without  undressing  and  went  to  sleep.  Just 
at  day-dawn  we  heard  him  again  approaching ;  no  better 
security  was  afforded  to  the  door  than  at  his  previous 
visitation.  He  tried  the  door  again  and  again,  and  it 
resisted  all  efforts.  We  stood  on  the  floor  trembling, 
and  awaited  results.  We  soon  heard  the  voice  of  his 
wife  calling  him  to  come  with  her  down-stairs,  which 
he  heeded.  This  was  the  last  attempt.  At  seven 
o'clock  we  presented  ourselves  below  stairs,  dressed 
and  equipped  for  the  street.  Mrs.  M.  met  us,  pale 
and  weary,  and  then  explained  to  us  that  the  reason 
we  had  been  brought  to  her  house  was  because  she 
was  alone  at  the  time  she  offered  to  have  us  be  her 
guests  during  our  stay.  Her  husband  was  absent  and 
she  had  no  idea  of  his  return  for  a  number  of  weeks. 


A  STRANGE  ADVENTURE.  33 

He  arrived  unexpectedly  the  day  of  our  arrival,  and 
in  the  half  maniacal  condition  in  which  we  found  him. 
She  did  not  see  Mr.  Fellows  when  he  left  us  at  the  door, 
consequently  there  was  no  opportunity  for  her  to  explain 
or  give  us  an  opportunity  to  seek  other  quarters.  We 
assured  her  of  our  full  appreciation  of  her  kind  intent 
and  generous  hospitality  ;  but  without  waiting  for  our 
breakfast,  we  started  out  into  the  street  and  soon  found 
our  way  to  the  hall. 

To  the  officers  of  our  little  Society  we  related  our 
unpleasant  experience  and  met  with  the  ready  sympathy 
circumstances  seemed  to  demand,  and  were  provided, 
during  the  remainder  of  the  engagement,  with  a  con- 
genial home  in  the  pleasant  family  of  a  Mr.  Ward,  in 
Greenbush,  just  across  the  river. 

The  meetings  grew  in  interest,  and  so  enlarged  in 
numbers  that  a  larger  and  better  hall  was  secured, 
and  it  resulted  in  my  becoming  a  permanent  speaker 
for  the  Society. 


34  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST* 


CHAPTER  V. 

SPIRITUALISM  AND  WAR. 

The  first  call  for  75,000  men — The  advice  from  the  spirit  world 
and  my  disobedience — I  go  to  Washington  to  get  a  fur- 
lough for  my  brother — Success  and  loss — Meet  prominent 
people — Go  to  the  camp — Dr.  Curtis,  Secretary  Tucker, 
and  other  prominent  men  are  met — Have  important  work 
to  do — Hold  stances — "  Per  order  of  Secretary  of  War" — 
DeKalb's  desire  to  thwart  my  efforts — Meet  Mr.  Betts,  of 
Albany — Success  and  failure — Appended  letters,  etc. 

I  WAS  lecturing  in  Albany,  in  April,  1861,  when 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion  broke  out.  It  is  well 
known  that  the  Northern  people  expected  that  the 
President's  first  call  for  troops  to  the  number  of  75,000 
men  would  quickly  end  the  "  little  fuss"  down  South, 
and  that,  taken  all  in  all,  the  war  would  soon  be  over. 
The  first  battle  of  Bull  Run  made  the  Northern  people 
acquainted  with  the  fact  that  no  easy  victory  awaited 
them.  At  the  close  of  ray  evening  lecture,  the  Sun- 
day following  this  disastrous  battle  to  the  North,  a 
gentleman  asked  the  question :  "  How  long  will  this 
conflict  continue  ?"  Our  spirit  friends  made  the  re- 
fly^  "  That  it  would  continve  four  years,  arid  that  it 
would  require  five  practically  to  end  it.^^     This  was  a 


SPIRITUALISM  AND  WAR.  35 

distinctly  prophetic  statement  which  after  events  fully 
verified.* 

At  the  time  no  one  believed  or  supposed  it  possible 
that  a  war  could  be  maintained  in  this  country  for  that 
length  of  time,  particularly  an  internal  war;  and  the 
statement  of  the  spirits  on  that  occasion  created  much 
discussion. 

More  than  a  year  had  passed  away.  I  was  still 
speaking  for  the  Society  when  I  was  summoned  home 
to  bid  a  brief  farewell  to  my  father  and  brothers,  all 
four  of  whom  had  enlisted  and  were  about  to  start  for 
"  the  front."  After  much  consideration  it  was  de- 
cided best  for  my  mother  to  break  up  her  home  and 
return  with  me  to  Albany  to  remain  until  my  father's 
return,  if  he  should  be  so  fortunate  as  to  escape  the 
ill  fortunes  of  war.  The  last  evening,  before  the  com- 
pany in  which  my  father  and  brothers  were  enlisted 
started  for  the  front,  we  passed  together  at  the  house 
of  a  friend,  and  a  parting  circle  was  held.  Our  spirit 
friends  gave  us  every  encouragement,  assuring  us  that 
they  foresaw  that  all  four  would  return  in  safety  to 
their  homes.  A  spirit  purporting  to  be  a  Dr.  Bam- 
ford,  whom   my  father  had   known   in  earlier  years, 

■^  This  was  a  war  prophecy  of  importance,  and  as  far  as  1 
know  there  are  livinjx  witnesses  who  can  testify  to  the  circum- 
stance:  Jane  McChire,  of  Albany,  J.  J.  Perkins,  M.D.,  who 
has  moved  from  Albany  to  Syracuse,  and  Mrs.  H.  M.  Dibbells, 
of  Washington,  N.  Y. 


36  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

controlled  me,  and  in  his  quaint  "  down  East"  dialect 
assured  my  father  that  the  next  time  he  had  the 
pleasure  of  talking  with  him  it  would  be  on  Virginia 
soil.  This  astounding  statement  surprised  all  present, 
and  none  more  so  than  myself,  when  informed  of  his 
words  ;  for  I  had  no  possible  way  of  visiting  the  army, 
no  desire  to  do  so,  and  had  no  thought  of  any  conditions 
that  could  by  any  chance  bring  about  a  meeting  with 
my  father  in  that  distant  State.  However,  time 
passed  on.*     It  was  in  the  following  November,  the 

*  In  August,  1862,  while  my  friend,  Miss  Hannuin,  and  my- 
self were  sitting  in  our  room  in  Albany  a  powerful  influence 
came  over  me,  and  I  was  "controlled"  to  speak  to  her  for 
nearly  an  hour,  the  purport  of  which  was  that  there  was  a 
"  Congress  of  spirits"  in  the  spirit  life,  composed  of  the  lead- 
ing public  men  who  had  passed  awa}^  from  earth,  who  were  still 
interested  in  and  guiding  with  care  the  affairs  of  the  nation  as 
perfectly  as  in  their  power  ;  that  it  was  imperatively  necessary 
that  they  should  communicate  with  President  Lincoln ;  and 
they  desired  me  to  make  arrangements  to  go  to  AVashington  and 
seek  an  immediate  interview  with  him,  assuring  us  that  we 
would  be  well  received  and  kindly  treated ;  and  that  we  should 
tell  the  President  how  we  came  to  visit  him,  assuring  us  that 
we  would  have  no  cause  to  regret  immediate  obedience.  When 
I  awoke  and  learned  the  purport  of  the  message  we  talked 
over  the  matter  earnestly,  but  could  not  bring  ourselves  to  fol- 
low the  suggestion ;  and  although  the  matter  was  repeatedly 
referred  to  by  our  spirit  friends  thereafter,  we  refused  to  com- 
ply with  their  wishes  then,  which  fact  was  due  to  a  knowledge 
of  unpleasant  experiences  which  had  been  the  reward  of  other 


SPIRITUALISM  AND  WAR.  37 

first  week  of  the  month,  that  I  received  two  letters  in 
the  same  mail,  one  from  Washington  A.  Danskin,  Balti- 
more, Md.,  asking  me  to  speak  for  his  Society  during 
the  following  month,  December ;  the  other  from  my 
youngest  brother,  who  informed  me  that  he  was  sick  in 
the  hospital  at  Alexandria,  and  that  unless  he  could 
obtain  a  furlough  and  reach  home  and  receive  the  care 
needed  he  would  certainly  die  ;  that  it  was  impossible 
to  obtain  a  furlouf]rh  save  through  the  action  of  friends. 
The  letter  from  my  brother  decided  me  to  accept  the 
proffered  engagement  in  Baltimore.  I  laid  the  case 
before  the  officers  of  our  Society,  and  they  willingly 
released  me  from  my  duties  ;  and  leaving  my  mother 
and  Miss  Hannum  together,  housekeeping,  as  we  had 
been  since  my  father's  enlistment,  I  started  for  Balti- 
more. 

During  the  first  week  of  my  stay  in  Baltimore  I 
made  inquiries  regarding  the  presence  of  any  spiritual- 
ists in  Washington  through  whose  aid  I  would  be  able 
to  undertake  my  difficult  mission  regarding  my  brother. 
I  was  informed  that  Thos.  Gales  Foster,  a  well-known 
and  most  eminent  speaker  in  our  ranks,  had  recently 
taken  a  position  as  clerk  in  the  War  Department,  and 

spiritualists  who  had  followed  similar  directions,  and  who  en- 
countered woful  disappointments  ;  and  we  therefore  concluded 
that  two  bedraggled  young  damsels  upon  a  spiritual  mission 
would  find  but  poor  reception  in  the  presence  of  the  first  lluler 
of  the  Land. 


38  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIIilTUALISTf 

that  he  resided  with  his  family  in  that  city.  Obtain- 
ing a  letter  of  introduction  to  him,  I  made  my  way  to 
Washington  and  presented  myself  at  Mr.  Foster's 
house.  I  was  given  a  most  cordial  welcome  and  a 
place  in  the  household,  to  remain  until  the  result  of 
my  proposed  efforts  could  be  known.  The  following 
day,  Mr.  Foster  presented  me  to  the  then  Assistant 
Secretary,  Mr.  Tucker.  I  told  him  what  my  brother 
had  written,  and  expressed  a  desire  to  go  to  him  at 
Alexandria.  He  heard  me  kindly,  gave  me  an  order 
for  a  pass,  and  directed  where  to  obtain  it.  Every- 
body knows  that  all  official  business  in  the  city  of 
Washington  is  transacted  between  the  hours  of  nine  in 
the  morning  and  three  in  the  afternoon.  By  the  time 
this  had  been  accomplished  it  was  too  late  to  think  of 
going  Jlo  Alexandria  that  day.  The  next  morning 
Mr.  Foster  accompanied  me  to  the  office  where  I  was 
given  a  permit,  and  going  on  board  the  Alexandria 
boat  1  was  soon  at  my  destination.  A  number  of 
rickety-looking  vehicles  standing  on  the  wharf  bore 
the  legend 

"TO  THE  CAMP."* 

Entering  one  of  them  I  was  driven  to  the  broad 
gates   leading  to  the  encampment.      A  sea  of  tents 

*  The  reader  may  pronounce  this  chapter  wearisome  on  ac- 
count of  the  exact  detailed  statement.  It  is  valuable  as  an 
unusually  correct  description  of  the  "red-tape  system." 


SPIRITUALISM  AND  WAR.  39 

arose  on  every  side  ;  it  looked  like  a  vast  city  of  white 
canvas.  I  confess  to  a  feeling  of  timidity  and  dread  ; 
but,  approaching  a  sentry,  inquired  for  the  Connecti- 
cut Division  ;  as  I  had  been  advised  at  Washington. 
Every  kindness  and  politeness  were  shown  me,  and  I 
was  passed  from  hand  to  hand  until  I  reached  the  tent 
of  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Connecticut  troops 
quartered  there  in  hospital.  I  stated  my  errand,  and 
desired  to  see  my  brother.  The  officer  in  char^^e 
treated  me  with  consideration,  and  told  me  he  would 
give  me  the  use  of  his  tent  for  our  meeting,  as  the 
quarters  of  the  men  were  hardly  suitable  for  a  lady  to 
enter.  In  a  few  moments  he  returned  with  ray  brother, 
who  was  leaning  heavily  upon  his  cane,  and  whose  ap- 
pearance fully  proclaimed  his  debilitated  condition.  I 
leave  the  reader  to  judge  of  the  meeting  that  followed  ; 
nor  did  it  at  the  time  seem  strange  to  me  that  I,  a 
mere  girl  in  years,  was  there  amid  that  vast  array  of 
tents  filled  with  sick  and  weary  soldiers,  alone  and 
unguarded  save  by  that  same  Power  that  had  thus  far 
tenderly  guided  my  life. 

•My  brother  informed  me  that  the  routine  requif^ite 
for  the  examination  before  the  board  of  surgeons  that 
daily  met  on  the  hill  was  the  issuing  of  a  certain 
number  of  tickets,  and  as  the  numbers  were  called, 
the  holders  were  brought  before  the  board,  examined, 
and  either  remanded  back  to  their  quarters  or  recom- 
mended to  a  furlough.     He  stated  that  he  had  many 


40  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

times  received  a  ticket,  but  his  number  was  never 
reached  before  the  board  adjourned. 

Leaving  with  him  the  fruit  I  had  brought,  and 
bidding  him  to  be  of  good  cheer,  I  walked  up  the  hill 
to  the  modern  brick  house  on  its  summit  where  the 
surgeons'  headquarters  were  established.  I  inquired 
for  Dr.  Curtis,  and  was  informed  very  curtly  "that 
he  could  not  be  seen."  Feeling  timid  in  the  presence 
of  80  many  pert  young  officers,  who  seemed  to  be 
doing  nothing,  I  stated  the  case  of  my  brother.  His 
name  was  taken  down,  and  I  was  informed  that  he  should 
have  a  ticket  next  morning,  which  would  bring  him 
before  the  board  of  examination.  Feeling  that  I  had 
achieved  all  that  was  necessarv  I  returned  to  brother, 
and  informed  him  of  the  result.  He  said,  "  It  will  do 
no  good,  Nettie  ;  it  is  only  a  repetition  of  what  has 
happened  every  day  for  weeks  past."  I  replied,  "  1 
will  be  down  to-morrow  and  see."  Returning  to  Wash- 
ington by  the  last  boat,  my  friends  were  informed  of  my 
work  and  its  results.  They  felt  confident  of  my  suc- 
cess, feeling  I  was  being  led  "  %  those  who  ivould 
injure  success ^ 

That  evening  quite  a  number  of  people  gathered  at 
Mr.  Foster's,  and  we  held  a  spiritual  seance.  I  was 
introduced  to  a  number  of  prominent  people,  among 
them  the  Hon.  D.  E.  Somes,*  ex-member  of  Congress 

*  Daniel  E.  Somes  was  member  of  Congress  from  Biddeford, 
Maine,   for  many   years;    his   terra   expired   in    1861,    when 


SPIRITUALISM  AND  WAR.  41 

from  Biddeford,  Maine,  Mr.  Cranston  Laurie,  for  many 
years  statistician  of  the  Post-oflSce  Department,  and 
a  Judge  Hoar  of  the  Interior  Department. 

President  Lincoln  took  his  seat.  He  afterwards  followed  the 
profession  of  a  patent  lawyer  with  conspicuous  success,  and 
enjoyed  the  patronage  of  many  of  the  leading  people  of 
Washington,  holding  in  trust  large  and  valued  interests. 

In  appearance,  he  was  tall,  commanding,  and  noble-looking, 
being  over  six  feet  in  height,  broad-shouldered,  muscular,  and 
as  well-proportioned  as  any  athlete  ;  his  hair  was  dark  chestnut- 
brown  in  color ;  closely  cropped  auburn  side-whiskers,  ex- 
pressive brown  eyes,  which  indicated  a  kind  and  generous 
nature.  He  was  very  reserved  in  manner,  of  few  words, 
dignihed  bearing,  deliberate  of  purpose,  and  never  to  be  mis- 
understood ;  patly  put,  his  words  were  "  always  to  the  point," 
for  he  full  well  knew  the  value  of  time  and  never  trespassed 
upon  that  of  others,  and  as  a  result  was  always  welcome  in 
the  White  House,  and  could  always  get  and  hold  the  ear  of  the 
President,  who  recognized  in  him  a  warm  personal  friend.  At 
this  time  Mr.  Somes  was  not  a  spiritualist,  only  a  quiet,  earnest 
investigator.  In  after  years  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Somes,  asking  his 
permission  to  refer  to  him  as  a  witness  to  certain  interviews  at 
which  he  was  present.  His  reply,  and  also  a  copy  of  my  note  to 
him,  are  herewith  appended. 

That  Mr.  Somes  was  a  man  of  undoubted  respectability, 
integrity,  and  honor,  is  not  questioned ;  his  references  will 
amply  vouchsafe  his  standing  and  character.  Such  men  as 
James  G.  Blaine  and  Schuyler  Colfax  are  certainly  not  to  be 

questioned. 

July  15, 1887. 
Dear  Mr.  Somes  :  Being  about  to  publish  my  life,  and  an 
account  of  the  various  experiences  thereof,  I  wish   to  know 


42  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

Mr.  Foster  became  entranced  and  gave  one  of  his 
grandly  eloquent  discourses,  and  at  its  close  he  turned 

whether  you  will  object  to  my  using  your  name  as  a  reference 
thereto,  as  to  such  important  events  and  stances  to  which  you 
were  a  witness,  and  at  which  you  were  present,  for  you  well 
know  that  on  account  of  circumstances  in  which  you  and  I 
with  others  took  part,  would  prove,  not  only  interesting,  but  in 
a  degree  startling,  and  that  the  public  is  always  credulous  in 
spiritualistic  matters  unless  thoroughly  well  sustained,  etc. 

With  many  regards  to  your  dear  wife and  awaiting 

your  early  reply,  and  with  many  kind  wishes,  I  am,  sincerely, 

N.  C.  M. 

This  was  in  substance  the  contents  of  my  letter,  to  which  came 
u  reply  as  follows  ; — 

July  20,  1887. 
Law  Offices  F.  C.  Somes,  Washington,  D.  C, 
514  F  St.  N.  W. 

Dear  Mrs.  Maynard  :  Your  letter  to  father  and  mother 
was  received  on  the  eve  of  father's  departure  for  Boston,  and 
mother  being  sick,  I  •  am  commissioned  to  acknowledge  the 
letter. 

Father  wishes  me  to  say  to  you  that  he  is  willing  his  name 
shall  be  used  as  a  witness  to  anything  that  transpired  at  the  time 
of  which  you  write.  He  would  be  pleased  to  see  the  matter 
before  it  is  published,  as  you  suggest. 

The   note*   to   which   you    refer   has   not   been   preserved. 

*  The  note  referred  to  above  was  one  written  by  Mrs.  Lincoln  to 
Mrs.  Somes,  requesting  the  pleasure  of  herself  and  young  lady 
friends  (N.  CM.  and  P.  H.),  "  trusting  that  they  would  favor  her 
with  a  siance"  as  she  desired  to  see  whether  "  Pinkie"  (my  spirit 
control,  an  Indian  girl)  would  recognize  a  friend  who  would  be 
present,  etc. 


HON.  DANIEL  E.  SOMES. 
From  photograph  by  Bradj-,  1863.     Copied  by  Bell,  1891. 


SPIRITUALISM  AND  WAR.  43 

to  me  and  assured  me  that  success  awaited  mv  efforts 
in  regard  to  my  brother,  BUT  that  "  I  HAD  other  and 

GREATER  WORK  TO  DO  IN  THAT  CITY."       I  thought  very 

little,  at  the  time,  of  the  latter  part  of  his  prediction, 
my  mind  being  wholly  centered  on  the  purpose  of 
getting  brother  home.  The  next  day  I  returned  to 
Alexandria  and  found  that  the  board  of  examining  sur- 
geons had  met  and  again  adjourned  after  examining  a 
number  of  patients.  Brother  had  received  his  ticket, 
but  his  name  had  not  been  called.  He  was  disap- 
pointed and  disheartened.  I  again  visited  the  head- 
quarters of  Surgeon-General  Curtis,  and  explained 
that  my  brother's  case  had  not  received  attention.  I 
was  treated  politely,  but  in  a  manner  that  showed  me 
that  no  interest  was  taken  in  the  affair.  Amid  the 
thousands  around  them  one  case  was  of  no  more 
importance  than  another.  Feeling  for  the  first  time 
somewhat  apprehensive,  I  returned  to  Washington. 
This  being  Friday,  I  was  compelled  to  return  to  Balti- 
more on  Saturday,  to  be  in  readiness  for  Sunday's 
labor  in  that  city. 
.  On  Monday  morning,  by  an  early  train,  I  returned 

Father  intends  to  write  to  you  in  regard  to  these  matters  as 
soon  as  possible. 

We  are  all  very  glad  to  hear  from  you,  but  sorry  that  you 
seem  to  be  suffering  so  much,  etc.  Father,  mother,  and  all 
join  me  in  kind  regards  to  you.  Yours  truly, 

F.  C.  Somes. 


44  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

to  Washington.  On  reaching  the  home  of  my  friends, 
the  Fosters,  I  found  that  Mr.  Foster  had  already  gone 
to  his  office  in  the  War  Department.  I  therefore 
awaited  his  coming  home  to  dinner  before  taking  any 
further  steps.  He  counselled  that  I  should  see 
Assistant  Secretary  Tucker,  and  state  the  case  to  him. 
As  it  was  then  too  late  in  the  day  to  do  so,  I  was 
obliged  to  defer  my  call  on  the  secretary  until  the 
next  day.* 

*  During  the  evening  we  had  a  quiet,  pleasant  circle  whereat 
Mr.  Foster  informed  me  that  during  my  entranceraent  I  was 
controlled  by  a  powerful  spirit,  who,  in  Mr.  Foster's  language, 
appeared  to  know  exactly  what  he  was  about,  and  that  this 
influence  declare<l  that  my  efforts  in  regard  to  my  brother  would 
be  successful  and  that  he  could  be  on  his  way  home  in  twenty- 
four  hours,  depending  upon  my  following  the  spirit's  direction, 
which  was  to  go  to  Abraham  Lincoln  and  say  to  him  that  I  had 
been  directed  to  come,  as  a  crisis  in  affairs  was  approaching  and 
that  he  had  important  revelations  to  make,  which  would  aid  him 
materially  in  an  adjustment.  The  spirit  gave  assurance  that  I 
should  be  well  received,  and  that  Mr.  Lincoln  would  simplify 
the  matter  of  brother's  requirements  and  relieve  me  of  further 
anxiety,  and  that  if  I  did  not  follow  the  spirit's  directions  I 
would  meet  with  many  disappointments  and  annoyances,  as  it 
was  then  decided  that  1  should  not  leave  Washington  until  the 
spirit  had  obtained  the  desired  interview  with  Mr.  Lincoln  be- 
fore the  dawn  of  the  new  year,  and  u'ith  or  icitJiout  my  consent 
that  he  would  bring  about  such  a  meeting  in  his  own  way. 

Mr.  Foster  talked  with  me  long  and  earnestly  on  the  sub- 
ject, and  I  told  him  that  I  had  once  before  been  directed  in 
a  similar  manner  to  seek  the  President — of  mv  sensitiveness  in 


SPIRITUALISM  AND  WAR,  45 

Reaching  the  office  at  ten  o'clock,  my  disappoint- 
ment was  great  to  find  he  was  not  at  his  ofiSce.  I 
waited  an  hour,  but  still  he  did  not  come,  and  leaving, 
returned  at  two  o'clock,  when  he  received  me  with  the 
same  kindly  manner  that  had  characterized  him  from 
the  first ;  and,  having  heard  my  story,  he  took  up  a 
white  envelope  lying  upon  his  desk,  and  rapidly  wrote 
the  following  words  :  "  The  surgeon  commanding  will 
give  his  immediate  attention  to  the  case  of  A.  S. 
Colburn,  16th  Conn.  Regt.  Per  order  Secretary  of 
War."  Folding  this  envelope,  he  handed  it  to 
me,  saying  :  "  I  think  this  will  be  all  you  will  re- 
quire." The  following  morning  I  started  for  Alexan- 
dria. I  found  no  change  in  the  situation,  save  that 
my  brother  was  more  feeble,  and  I  went  at  once  to 
headquarters  and  inquired  for  Dr.  Curtis.  I  was  told 
he  had  returned  to  the  city  ;  that  it  was  impossible  to 
see  him  or  any  of  his  staff.  Not  knowing  the  all-potent 
weapon  I  carried  in  my  pocket,  in  the  shape  of  that 

the  matter,  giving  the  reasons  for  not  obeying.  I  added  that  I 
felt  that  Mr.  Lincoln  would  be  justified  in  handing  me  over  to 
the  police,  as  an  escaped  lunatic,  should  I  go  to  him  upon  so 
strange  an  errand. 

At  that  time  Mr.  Foster  did  not  know  President  Lincoln, 
but  had  seen  him  many  times  ;  he  nevertheless  assured  me  that 
I  should  not  hesitate,  and  offered  to  go  with  me  if  I  would  obey 
the  Spirit's  direction.  I  again  flatly  refused,  which  I  afterwards 
had  o-ood  cause  to  regret. 


46  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

simple  envelope,  I  retreated  before  the  forbidding  ap- 
pearance of  the  clerks,  who  had  come  to  remember  me 
and  my  frequent  application.  Going  to  my  brother, 
I  comforted  him  as  well  as  I  could,  promising  him  I 
would  come  by  an  earlier  boat  on  the  next  day. 

Thursday  saw  me  again  at  Alexandria,  and  on  this 
occasion  I  was  told  that  no  more  sessions  were  to  be 
held  at  this  camp  ;  that  the  camp  was  about  to  be 
moved  to  new  quarters,  several  miles  distant  ;  and 
that  the  board  would  not  meet  again  at  this  point. 
Feeling  sick  and  discouraged,  it  required  all  my 
powers  of  mind  and  body  to  enable  me  to  encourage 
my  brother  and  bid  him  hope  for  some  more  favorable 
turn  in  affairs.  Leaving  with  him  the  delicacies  I  had 
brought,  hoping  to  tempt  his  appetite,  I  returned  to 
Washington,  dispirited  and  disheartened.  Mr.  Foster 
advised  me  to  see  Mr.  Tucker  in  the  morning.  On 
Friday  morning  I  presented  myself  before  him,  and 
the  sight  of  my  rueful  face  caused  him  to  ask  with  some 
concern  if  my  brother  was  released.  I  stated  to  him 
the  discouragement  I  had  met  with.  He  then  quietly 
asked  me,  "  Did  you  show  any  of  the  officials  the 
paper  Avhich  I  gave  you  ?"  I  looked  up  in  surprise 
and  said,  "  No,  sir !  I  have  it  in  my  pocket  now." 
A  quiet  smile  broke  over  his  face,  and  he  said  :  "  I 
can  do  nothing  more  than  that  for  you.  You  go  back 
to-day,"  and,  looking  at  his  watch,  he  said ;  "  You 
will  have  time  to  catch  the  boat.     Go  to  Gen.  Curtis's 


SPIRITUALISM  AND  WAR.  47 

headquarters,  and  present  that  paper  ;  I  think  it  is  all 
you  will  need  to  do." 

A  little  more  hopeful,  I  was  soon  on  my  way  down 
the  river.  Entering  the  familiar  gates  of  the  camp- 
ground, I  was  startled  to  find  a  scene  of  desolation 
and  desertion  that  is  noAvhere  equalled,  save,  it  may 
be,  on  a  deserted  battle-field.  Where,  the  day  before, 
had  been  a  sea  of  tents,  extending  as  far  as  the  eye 
could  reach  over  the  rolling  hillside,  only  a  cluster 
here  and  there  remained  ;  but  the  ground  was  strewn 
with  the  evidences  of  the  late  encampment.  Little 
chimneys  of  blackened  brick  rising  on  every  side  of 
the  trampled  earth,  the  worn-out  canteen,  and  the 
general  debris  of  the  deserted  camp  met  the  eye  in 
every  direction.  Going  to  my  brother's  quarters,  I 
found  that  he,  with  a  number  of  others,  had  been  left 
behind,  there  not  being  room  in  the  ambulances  to 
carry  all,  or  he  would  have  been  removed  that  day  to 
the  new  hospital  grounds  in  the  interior.  Without 
shelter,  they  must  wait  until  the  following  day  before 
they  could  follow  in  the  wake  of  their  late  companions. 
Frightened  at  the  situation  and  his  shelterless  state, 
with  every  evidence  of  a  threatening  storm,  I  hurried 
to  the  house  on  the  hill-top,  where  there  were  still 
signs  of  life  and  activity.  On  this  occasion,  as  the 
clerk  was  about  uncivilly  to  pass  me  by,  I  presented 
the  paper  Secretary  Tucker  had  given  me.  He  took 
it  from  my  hand,  read  it,  and  his  face  turned  scarlet. 


48  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALLST? 

His  cap  was  off  in  a  moment,  and,  bowing  most  po- 
litely, he  said  :  "  Please  take  a  seat,  madam  ;  we  will 
see  what  can  be  done."  In  an  instant  all  was  changed. 
Three  or  four  surgeons  were  immediately  at  my  com- 
mand. They  informed  me  that  while  it  was  a  little 
irregular,  yet  they,  being  regular  army  surgeons,  had 
power  to  examine  and  decide  upon  his  case.  My  bro- 
ther was  immediately  sent  for.  An  impromptu  board 
was  formed,  and  he  was  thoroughly  examined,  and  I 
received  at  the  hands  of  these  polite  officers  a  strong 
recommendation  to  a  furlough  for  my  brother.  They 
asked  me  if  they  should  forward  it  by  mail  to  Wash- 
ington. I  asked  if  it  would  do  any  harm  for  me  to 
carry  it  and  present  it  in  person.  They  said,  "  No 
harm  whatever  ;  it  might  expedite  matters  somewhat." 
As  this  was  what  I  desired,  I  took  the  document,  en- 
cased in  a  white  official  envelope,  and  retreated  from 
their  presence  in  triumph. 

I  was  beginning  to  learn  the  power  of  those  magical 
words,  "  Per  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War." 
The  colonel  of  an  Indiana  regiment,  stationed  just 
under  the  hill,  offered  shelter  and  care  for  my  brother 
until  the  result  of  the  application  for  the  furlough 
should  be  known.  Leaving  him  for  the  first  time 
hopeful,  and  full  of  visions  of  home,  I  returned  to  the 
city  with  my  precious  paper. 

The  next  day,  at  nine  o'clock,  I  was  obliged  to 
return  to  Baltimore,  to  meet  my  Sunday's  engage- 


SPIRITUALISM  AND  WAR.  49 

merit.  The  following  Monday  I  returned  to  Washing- 
ton, and  going  at  once  to  Secretary  Tucker's  room, 
showed  him  my  paper,  and  explained  how  quickly  the 
paper  he  had  given  me  had  changed  the  face  of  affairs. 
He  quietly  smiled,  and  taking  another  envelope  wrote 
upon  it  these  words  :  "  Gen.  Heintzelman  will  please 
give  this  case  his  immediate  attention.  Per  order 
Secretary  of  War.'*  Handing  me  this  envelope,  which 
I  placed  in  my  pocket,  he  handed  me  back  the  recom- 
mendation, and  told  me  to  go  to  Gen.  Heintzelman's 
office,  which  was  in  a  building  on  the  opposite  side  of 
Pennsylvania  Avenue,  saying  he  hoped  all  would  be 
well — cordially  shaking  hands  with  me,  expecting,  no 
doubt,  he  had  seen  the  last  of  his  troublesome  little 
visitor. 

On  going  in  at  the  front  door  I  was  bewildered 
by  the  number  of  clerks  moving  in  every  direction, 
and  I  knew  not  whom  to  accost.  At  last  I  stepped 
toward  a  clerk,  who  had  paused  a  moment  in  the  centre 
of  the  room,  and  asked  if  I  could  see  General  Heint- 
zelman. He  said,  "  He  is  too  busy,  madam,  and 
cannot  be  seen."  I  was  about  to  draw  the  magical 
envelope  forth  from  my  pocket,  when  a  small,  dapper 
little  man  with  blonde  moustache,  who  evidently  felt 
the  full  measure  of  the  shoulder  straps,  stepped  up  to 
me,  and  said,  "  Did  you  wish  to  see  him  about  a  fur- 
lough ?"  I  responded  in  the  affirmative.  He  replied, 
"  That  matter  comes  under  my  department.     Please 


50  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

step  around  to  my  office."  Going  as  directed,  he  re- 
ceived me  in  his  office,  and,  taking  the  paper  I  had, 
turned  it  carefully  over,  and  turning  to  me  with  a 
frown,  said,  "  Why  did  this  paper  not  come  through 
the  mail  in  the  regular  form  ?"  I  replied  I  had  hoped 
to  expedite  the  matter  by  bringing  it  in  person.  He 
said,  "  Very  well ;  we  will  see."  I  timidly  asked 
when  he  could  have  his  furlough ;  feeling  there  could 
be  no  possible  reason  for  refusing  it.  He  replied, 
"  I  cannot  tell ;  it  has  first  to  go  to  the  recorder's 
office."  Completely  overpowered  by  his  bombastic 
manner,  I  ventured  to  ask  when  I  could  call  to  get  an 
answer.  "  Come  around  to-morrow,"  he  responded 
curtly.  In  the  pauses  of  this  interesting  conversation 
I  had  heard  him  addressed,  if  memory  serves  cor- 
rectly, as  Captain  De  Kalb.  Feeling  greatly  worried, 
I  left  the  office  and  took  the  afternoon  boat  to  Alex- 
andria to  inform  my  brother  of  the  progress  made 
and  to  see  that  all  was  well  with  him.  Under  the  care 
he  had  received  in  the  Indiana  regiment,  he  was 
feeling  somewhat  better,  but  growing  anxious.  Save 
for  this  remnant,  there  were  no  soldiers  left  on  all 
that  wide  camp  ground.  The  house  on  the  hill  was 
deserted.  I  had  just  time  to  reassure  my  brother  and 
catch  the  last  boat  back  to  the  city. 

The  following  morning  at  eleven  o'clock  I  pre- 
sented myself  at  Capt.  De  K.'s  office.  He  said  the 
paper  had  not  been  returned  to  him.  and  he  could  not 


SPIRITUALISM  AND   WAR,  51 

tell  when  it  would  be.  I  tried  to  explain  the  situation 
of  my  brother,  when  he  interrupted  me  in  a  very  im- 
pertinent manner,  saying,  "  Your  interference  in  the 
regular  routine  of  business  may  probably  defeat  the 
furlough  any  way."  Startled  at  this  unceremonious 
announcement,  I  had  just  voice  enough  to  ask  if  I 
should  return  the  next  day.  He  replied,  "  You  can 
do  so,  but  I  cannot  promise  anything."  I  left  the 
office  for  the  first  time  with  tears  blinding  my  way, 
and  I  stumbled  against  a  gentleman  who  was  passing 
in  the  street.  We  glanced,  recognized  each  other, 
and  were  shaking  hands,  each  pleased  to  meet  a  fami- 
liar face  in  a  strange  city.  The  gentleman  proved  to 
be  a  Mr.  Betts,  of  Albany,  a  wealthy  gentleman  of 
that  city  and  a  prominent  member  of  our  Society. 
Mr.  Betts  walked  with  me  down  to  the  green-house 
opposite  the  Treasury  building,  and  I  related  as  briefly 
as  I  could  my  long  efforts  and  the  result.  He  said, 
quickly,  "My  advice  is  that  you  go  at  once  to  Secretary 
Tucker  and  state  the  case  to  him."  As  it  was  now  too 
late  to  visit  the  secretary's  office,  it  being  past  three 
o'clock,  I  went  to  Mr.  Foster's.  Not  wishing  to  trauble 
Mr.  Foster  again,  if  it  was  avoidable,  at  eleven  o'clock 
I  again  sought  Capt.  De  K.'s  office.  He  met  me  with 
the  curt  statement  that  the  paper  was  lost  and  could 
not  be  found ;  that  he  had  sent  to  the  recorder's 
office  for  it,  but  that  they  had  no  knowledge  of  it. 
Going  from  his  office,  I  went  directly  to  Mr.  Tucker's 


52  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

presence.  I  told  him  my  story,  and  again  the  quiet 
smile  stole  over  his  face  as  he  asked  me,  "Where  is  the 
envelope  I  gave  you  to  Gen.  Heintzelman?"  I  quickly 
put  my  hand  in  my  pocket  and  drew  it  forth.  He 
said,  "  Why  did  you  not  present  it  ?"  I  replied, 
"  Because  I  was  told  he  could  not  be  seen."  The 
reply  caused  him  to  smile  again,  and  he  said,  "  You 
take  that  and  hand  it  to  any  one  of  the  clerks,  telling 
them  it  is  for  Gen.  Heintzelman."  As  I  left  the  office 
I  met  Mr.  Betts,  who  offered  to  be  my  escort,  which 
favor  was  gladly  accepted.  Entering  again  the  front 
door,  the  same  busy  scene  presented  itself  to  my  eyes 
as  on  the  former  occasion.  A  clerk  stepped  forward 
and  asked  me  what  I  wanted.  I  desired  him  to  hand 
the  paper  to  Gen.  Heintzelman.  As  it  was  open,  he 
read  it  without  trouble,  and  doffing  his  cap,  which  he 
had  not  chosen  to  do  up  to  that  moment,  he  quickly 
placed  chairs  for  myself  and  companion,  and  in  another 
moment  the  fine  soldierly  presence  of  Gen.  Heintzelman 
was  beside  me.  His  hands  were  full  of  papers,  and 
he  looked  the  hurry  that  his  tones  conveyed.  "What 
can  I  do  for  you,  madam  ?"  he  kindly  inquired.  I 
briefly  stated  my  brother's  case ;  my  application 
there  ;  Capt.  D.  K.'s  taking  possession  of  the  paper ; 
also  his  statement  of  the  morning  that  the  paper  was 
lost.  He  arose  with  an  angry  frown  on  his  face,  say- 
ing, "  Excuse  me  a  moment,"  and  left  me.  High 
words  from  the  near  office  reached  my  ears,  and  I  felt 


SPIRITUALISM  AND  WAR,  53 

that  the  dapper  little  captain  was  getting  a  rebuke 
from  his  superior  officer.  The  general  returned  in  a 
few  moments,  and,  politely  bowing,  said,  "  Return  at 
one  o'clock,  and  I  think  the  paper  will  be  found."  It 
wanted  an  hour  of  the  time.  Mr.  Betts  went  with  me 
to  the  post-office,  where  we  made  a  call  upon  Mr. 
Laurie,  to  while  away  the  time. 


54  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 


CHAPTER  VI. 

GLADNESS  AND  SADNESS. 

Mrs.  Belle  Miller  as  a  medium — Captain  DeKalb  temporarily 
succeeds — I  go  to  General  Townsend's  office — Issued  by 
"special  order  of  the  War  Department" — I  fail  to  get 
brother's  back  pay — Brother  and  I  drive  "  to  camp" — We 
meet  father  at  camp — We  hold  the  first  "  sitting"  on  Vir- 
ginia soil — Brother  loses  his  pass — Our  friends  sympathize 
with  us. 

I  SHOULD  have  mentioned  that  many  of  the  even- 
ings that  I  had  spent  in  Washington  had  been 
most  agreeably  filled  with  seances  at  Mr.  Foster's  or 
at  Mr.  Laurie's  in  Georgetown.^     Mrs.  Belle  Miller, 

*  Post  Office  Department, 
Washington,  D.  C,  May  30,  1878. 

Many  thanks,  my  dear  little  sister,  for  your  prompt  and  kind 
compliance  with  my  request  to  send  the  poem.  I  called  at  the 
major's  the  evening  that  your  letter  was  received  to  show  it  to 
Carrie,  but  she  was  in  Philadelphia.  The  major  said,  however, 
that  he  was  certain  she  had  written  to  you  but  a  short  time 
since. 

My  health  has  been  poor  for  some  months  past,  and  I  am 
about  to  try  what  effect  a  trip  by  sea  to  Boston  will  have.  I 
expect  to  leave  on  Monday  next,  and  will  take  the  Sound  boat 
to  New  York,  and  if  you  will  drop  me  a  line  at  New  York  tell- 
ing me  how  to  find  you,  as  Major  C.  says  he  thinks  you  reside 


GLADNESS  AND  SADNESS.  55 

Mr.  Laurie's  daughter,  was  one  of  the  most  powerful 
physical  mediums  I  ever  met.  While  she  played  the 
piano  it  would  rise  with  apparent  ease,  and  keep  per- 
fect time,  rising  and  falling  with  the  music.  By 
placing  her  hand  on  the  top  of  the  piano  it  would  rise 
clear  from  the  floor,  though  I  have  seen  as  many  as 
Jive  men  seated  on  it  at  the  time.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Laurie 
were  both  fine  mediums ;  and  I  had  met  many  promi- 
nent people  during  my  visits  there,  who,  though  not 
professing  to  be  spiritualists,  made  no  secret  of  their 
desire  to  investigate  the  subject. 

The  object  of  my  stay  in  Washington  was  well 
known  to  them  all,  and  the  liveliest  interest  was  shown 
in  the  progress  I  made. 

One  o'clock  came.  Mr.  Betts  and  myself,  leaving 
Mr.  Laurie's  office,  went  to  General  Heintzelman's  head- 
some  distance  from  White  Plains,  I  will  come  and  once  more 
look  into  those  kind  eyes,  and  the  old  shake  of  friendship  re- 
_new,  when  we  can  talk  over  your  proposed  book,  and  lean  give 
you  such  aid  as  lies  in  my  power.  My  good  little  wife  desires 
me  to  give  her  kindest  love,  and  say  that  she  intends  paying 
you  a  visit  early  in  the  fall  if  nothing  happens  to  prevent. 

With  much  love  to  you  and  your  good  husband,  I  remain 

most  truly  and  affectionately  your  friend, 

Cranstoun  Laurie. 
Mrs.  Nettie  C.  Matnard, 

White  Plains,  Westchester  Co.,  N.  Y. 

Direct,  Cranstoun  Laurie,  Statistician  P.  0.  Dept.,  New 
York  City. 


56  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

quarters.  Captain  DeKalb,  with  a  red  spot  burning  on 
either  cheek,  and  ejes  whose  light  was  better  suited 
to  a  battle-field  than  his  quiet  ofBce,  met  us,  and 
handed  me  the  missing  paper,  and  in  a  tone  that  did 
not  conceal  his  exultation,  remarked,  ''  There  is  your 
paper,  madam ;  it  has  been  rejected."  I  felt  for  a 
moment  as  though  I  had  been  struck  a  blow,  and  could 
not  speak.  At  last  I  faltered,  "  Why  has  the  applica- 
tion been  rejected  ?"  Bowing  in  a  half  mocking  way, 
he  said,  "  Because  it  did  not  come  through  in  the 
regular  form.''  I  felt  this  was  a  paltry  excuse  ;  that 
in  some  way  he  had  defeated  my  labors,  because  I 
bad  unwittingly  been  the  cause  of  a  reprimand  from 
his  chief.  Mr.  Betts  attempted  to  ask  some  particulars, 
when  De  Kalb  spoke  to  him  in  a  most  ungracious  way, 
and  turned  and  left  us  alone  in  the  office.  With  the 
rejected  paper  in  my  hand  I  found  my  way  to  the 
street,  and  but  for  the  kindly  support  of  my  old  friend 
I  think  I  should  have  fallen.  The  labor  of  three 
weeks  was  lost  —  my  brother  in  the  hands  of  the 
kindly  colonel  who  could  no  longer  keep  him.  I  was 
dizzy,  benumbed,  and  momentarily  could  not  think. 
My  old  friend  said  to  me,  "  Let  us  go  to  the  Secre- 
tary." "  No,"  I  said,  "  it  is  useless.  What  can  he 
do  ?"  In  my  ignorance  I  did  not  know,  even  yet,  the 
all-potent  influence  of  the  War  Office. 

At  this  moment,  standing  in  the  street,  blinded  by 
my  tears  and  kindly  protected  by  my  old  friend,  I 


GLADNESS  AND  SADNESS.  67 

heard  a  voice  distinctly  say,  "  Go  directly  to  the  Assist- 
ant Secretary. ^^  Above  the  noise  of  the  street  these 
words  were  as  plain  as  if  they  had  been  spoken  by 
Mr.  Betts  himself.  I  looked  up  and  told  him  what  I 
had  heard.  He  said,  "  It  confirms  my  own  views  ;  let 
us  go  at  once."  We  did  so,  and  Mr.  Tucker  was  fortu- 
nately alone.  He  came  forward  to  meet  me  and  his 
quick  eye  detected  the  traces  of  tears  upon  my  face. 
He  kindly  placed  a  chair  for  me  and  then  listened 
while  Mr.  Betts  told  him  the  story.  He  asked  me  for 
the  paper  and  I  gave  it  to  him.  Going  to  his  desk  he 
took  up  a  blank  sheet  lying  there,  and  wrote  some- 
thing upon  it,  folded  it  and  placed  it  with  the  paper, 
brought  the  two  to  me  and  put  them  in  my  hands,  say- 
ing kindly,  "  Take  these  down-stairs  to  Adjutant-Gene- 
ral Townsend's  office  and  hand  them  to  him."  I  could 
only  bow  my  head  in  acknowledgment ;  I  was  too  full 
to  speak,  not  knowing  what  to  hope  or  fear.  Mr. 
Betts  accompanied  me,  and  we  soon  found  the  Adju- 
tant-General's office.  I  entered  with  anything  but  a 
steady  step,  I  fear,  and  going  to  the  railing  behind 
which  sat  a  fine-looking  man  busily  engaged  in  writ- 
ing, I  timidly  waited  until  he  should  look  up.  I  shall 
always  remember  the  fine  clear  cut  face  of  this  man, 
as  all  my  hopes  were  centered  in  him,  though  I  did 
not  know  the  nature  of  the  paper  I  held  in  my  hand. 
At  last  he  laid  down  his  pen  and  turning  towards  me 
courteously  inquired  my  business.     I  presented  the 


58  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

papers,  and  Mr.  Betts  informed  him  that  Assistant- 
Secretary  Tucker  had  sent  me  to  him.  He,  without  a 
word,  read  what  the  Secretary  had  written,  opened 
the  other  paper,  took  another  from  his  desk,  wrote 
busily  for  a  few  moments,  kept  the  papers  I  had 
handed  him,  and  placing  the  one  he  had  written  in 
my  hands,  smiled  pleasantly,  and  said,  "  I  hope  your 
brother  will  soon  recover  his  health,"  and  bade  me  a 
pleasant  "  good  afternoon." 

I  did  not  realize  until  I  was  on  the  walk  outside  and 
was  eagerly  reading  what  I  held  in  my  hand  that  my 
victory  was  won.  The  paper  was  a  furlough  granting 
brother  twenty  days'  leave  of  absence.     Issued  by 

SPECIAL   ORDER   OF   THE   WaR    DEPARTMENT.       I   COuld 

scarcely  stand  from  excitement.  Mr.  Betts  told  me 
to  go  at  once  to  Mr.  Foster's  and  rest,  and  he  would 
go  to  Alexandria  and  bring  brother  to  Washington. 
I  gladly  accepted  his  proffered  aid,  bidding  him  offer 
my  earnest  thanks  to  the  kind  officer  who  had  sheltered 
brother  during  this  ordeal. 

In  a  few  hours  brother  presented  himself,  but  com- 
ing from  that  fearful  camp  he  was  in  no  condition  to 
enter  the  house.  I  gave  Mr.  Betts  the  last  money  I 
had,  and  bade  him  see  that  brother  was  given  into  the 
hands  of  the  barber,  and  after  a  thorough  bath  to 
obtain  for  him  a  complete  change  of  clothing.  The 
result  was  that  ''  a  clean  brother  presented  himself  an 
hour  later  at  Mr.  Foster's,  and  great  were  the  rejoic- 


GLADNESS  AND  SADNESS.  59 

ing  and  congratulations  paid  us  from  all  quarters." 
The  next  step  was  to  undertake  to  get  him  a  pass,  as 
I  had  exhausted  thus  far  all  I  had  received  for  my 
labors  in  Baltimore.  Applying  at  the  Connecticut 
Committee  rooms  for  a  pass,  they  refused  to  grant  it 
on  the  score  that  his  furlough  was  a  special  order  of 
the  War  Department.  I  next  tried  to  obtain  his  back 
pay,  long  overdue  ;  but  in  this  I  also  failed.  We  then 
thought  he  would  have  to  remain  a  week  of  the 
precious  twenty  days  in  Washington  until  I  could  fill 
my  last  Sunday's  engagement  in  Baltimore.  I  did 
not  reveal  to  the  many  friends  I  had  made  during  the 
month  the  financial  situation  in  which  I  found  myself 
placed,  or  no  doubt  they  would  have  quickly  come  to 
my  relief.  The  next  day  was  pleasant,  though  raw 
and  cold.  Mrs.  Laurie  called  and  told  my  brother  to 
wait  a  day  or  two,  and  she  felt  she  could  obtain  the 
needed  pass. 

Knowing  my  father  and  eldest  brother  were  en- 
camped at  Upton's  Hill,  Virginia,  but  a  few  miles 
from  Washington,  I  proposed  to  brother  that  we  en- 
gage a  livery  team  and  drive  over  and  see  them.  We 
were  soon  on  our  way,  crossing  by  what  was  called 
the  "Dry  Bridge,"  not  realizing  the  difficulty  of  the 
task  we  had  undertaken  until  we  struck  the  deserted 
fields  that  stretched  before  us,  covered  with  wheel 
tracks  and  no  guide  to  tell  in  which  direction  to  turn  ; 
but  fortunately  the  frequent  passing  of  army  wagons 


60  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

and  sutlers  gave  us  opportunity  to  make  inquiries,  and 
by  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  we  drove  into  the 
little  settlement  of  log  cabins  where  the  Twenty-second 
Connecticut  Regiment  was  encamped.  The  w^elcome 
folds  of  its  regimental  flag  were  flying  from  the  flag- 
stafl"  as  we  drew  up  in  the  midst,  and  I  scarcely  had 
time  to  think  of  inquiring,  when  my  father  came  to- 
ward the  carriage,  attracted  by  the  curiosity  of  the 
moment,  never  dreaming  who  was  awaiting  him.  I 
had  not  permitted  mother  to  communicate  to  him  my 
presence  in  Washington  nor  the  work  I  was  doing. 
Had  I  dropped  from  the  skies  at  his  feet  he  could  not 
have  been  more  astounded  when  he  recognized  us 
both.  My  eldest  brother  soon  joined  us,  and  it  would 
be  impossible  to  convey  an  idea  of  the  scene  of  rejoic- 
ing that  followed.  My  father  took  us  into  his  neat 
log  cabin,  where  we  realized  what  it  was  to  be  a 
soldier.  The  cabin  occupied  by  my  father  and 
brother  had  two  other  occupants,  who  readily  gave 
place  to  my  brother  and  myself,  and  our  family  party 
were  soon  seated  together  on  the  stout  blocks  of  wood 
that  formed  the  seats  in  this  primitive  dwelling.  I 
hastily  told  the  story  of  my  work  in  Washington,  and 
my  father's  pride  and  pleasure  in  my  work  were  my 
crowning  reward.  I  told  him  of  the  people  I  had 
met,  the  kindness  shown  me,  and  the  circles  that  had 
been  held,  and  he  at  once  asked  if  I  felt  able  to  have 
a  little  sitting  there  in  the  cabin.     Of  course,  I  was 


GLADNESS  AND  SADNESS,  61 

only  too  glad  to  afford  him  this  pleasure.  The  first 
spirit  friend  who  presented  himself  to  greet  my  father 
was  his  old  friend  "  Dr.  Bamford,"  reminding  him  of 
his  prediction  months  before,  when  he  informed  him 
that  the  next  time  he  would  have  the  pleasure  of 
speaking  with  him  through  his  daughter  "^Y  would  be 
ujjon  Virginia  soil.^^ 

As  a  medium  I  have  had  many  strange  experiences, 
been  in  many  novel  situations,  and  gathered  up  many 
pleasant  memories  that  now  brighten  my  later  days ; 
but  there  are  none  that  stand  out  more  startlingly 
clear  nor  furnish  greater  pleasure  than  to  recollect 
that  scene  in  the  rude  cabin  in  the  heart  of  a  camp  of 
soldiers;  ray  father  and  two  brothers  seated  with  me 
— hand  joined  in  hand — as  we  waited  to  receive  the 
blessing  of  the  angels  and  the  encouraging  words  from 
loved  ones  gone  before.  I  shall  always  remember  the 
look  on  father's  face  when  I  awoke  from  my  trance  on 
that  occasion.  Tears  that  were  no  shame  to  his  man- 
hood were  on  his  cheeks  ;  and  while  the  sound  of  the 
drum  and  the  fife  was  in  our  ears  he  blessed  me  for 
the  comfort  I  had  brought  to  him  ^-as  a  messenger  of 
the  unseen  life.^^ 

Another  half  hour  and  words  of  parting  were 
spoken,  and  my  brother  and  myself  were  on  our  way 
to  Washington,  where  we  arrived  in  safety.  Here  we 
found  that  Mrs.  Laurie  had  obtained  a  pass  from  the 
Connecticut  Committee  through  the  influence  of  some 


62  ^VAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

friends  in  the  office ;  and  all  was  in  readiness  for  ray 
brother's  departure  for  home.  A  friend  was  at  Mr. 
Laurie's,  awaiting  us,  and  he  desired  brother  to  ac- 
company him  that  evening  to  the  theatre,  hoping  it 
might  brighten  his  depressed  spirits,  as  he  was  not  to 
leave  for  Albany  until  the  following  evening.  The 
next  day  I  was  busy  making  preparations  to  return  to 
Baltimore,  intending  to  go  that  far  with  brother  as  I 
still  had  one  Sunday  to  speak  in  that  city.  At  noon 
it  chanced  that  Mr.  Foster  inquired  by  what  route  my 
brother  would  go  to  Albany  from  the  city  of  New 
York.  I  said  I  did  not  know  and  asked  him  to  get 
his  pass  and  see  what  it  might  reveal.  He  went  to 
his  overcoat  and  thrusting  his  hand  into  his  pocket 
found  it  empty.  A  hurried  search,  a  still  more  excited 
one,  and  the  truth  was  apparent — the  precious  furlough 
and  transportation  paper  were  lost.  He  had  not  seen 
it  since  he  handed  it  to  the  officer  at  the  theatre  who 
passed  through  the  crowd  calling  upon  all  soldiers 
present  to  show  their  passes.  It  was  returned  to  him, 
and  he  had  placed  it  in  his  breast  pocket  and  had  not 
thought  of  it  again.  It  2vas  lost,  lost  heyond  recall! 
Words  are  powerless  to  describe  the  coridition  of  mind 
I  was  in  when  I  fully  realized  this  fact.  I  knew  not 
which  way  to  turn.  Without  his  precious  papers  he 
was  liable  at  any  moment  to  be  taken  as  a  deserter. 
It  seemed  to  me  that  I  could  not  try  again ;  and,  pros- 
trate in  body  and  mind,  the  day  was  spent  in  tears  and 


GLADNESS  AND  SADNESS.  63 

vain  regrets.  My  brother  was  completely  prostrated 
by  this  blow.  He  had  no  idea  how  the  paper  had 
been  taken  from  him ;  though  he  remembered  being 
wedged  in  the  crowd,  and  some  one  putting  his  arms 
about  him  as  if  to  move  him  on  one  side  to  allow  a 
group  of  ladies  to  pass.  It  must  have  been  at  this 
time  that  his  pocket  was  picked.  Mr.  Foster  informed 
the  proper  authorities  at  once,  but  it  availed  nothing. 
When  we  fully  realized  that  these  precious  papers 
were  lost,  and  my  heart  had  sunk  like  lead  in  my 
breast,  I  was  controlled  by  a  little  messenger  of  my 
spirit  circle,  named  "  Pinkie,"  who  assured  us  in  her 
own  unique  manner  that  it  was  all  right,  and  that  this 
delay  was  most  important,  as  we  would  realize,  and 
that  "  the  brave  lad  should  have  another  furlough.''^ 
I  could  derive  but  little  comfort,  however,  from  these 
assurances  ;  for  I  was  face  to  face  with  the  fact  that  I 
had  exhausted  nearly  all  my  resources,  and  I  knew  not 
how  to  seek  again  the  kind  secretary  who  had  assisted 
me  so  well.  At  six  o'clock  that  evening  we  would 
have  been  at  the  depot,  and  by  seven  on  our  way 
northward;  but  of  course  we  could  now  do  nothing. 
Our  friends  could  only  sympathize  with  us  and  wait 
for  some  suggestions. 


64  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 


CHAPTER  VII. 

FIRST  MEETING  WITH  LINCOLN. 

Secretary  Foster  takes  us  to  Mr.  Laurie's  house  in  Mrs.  Lin- 
coln's carriage — Mrs.  Lincoln  promises  to  obtain  another 
furlough  for  my  brother — I  go  into  a  trance — "  This  young 
lady  must  not  leave  Washington  ;  Mr.  Lincoln  must  hear 
her" — Am  promised  a  place  under  Mr.  Newton — Am 
promised  another  furlough  —  A  thirty  day  furlough  is 
granted — A  present  of  a  hundred  dollars — I  arrange  to 
stay  in  Washington — AVe  are  invited  to  the  White  House, 
where  we  hold  a  stance  that  is  of  historical  importance — 
"So  this  is  our  little  Nettie" — President  Lincoln  is  ad- 
vised upon  the  Emancipation  Proclamation,  that  it  is  to  be 
the  crowninjj  effort  of  his  administration  and  his  life — 
The  President  states  that  pressure  was  being  brought  to 
bear  upon  him  to  suppress  the  enforcement  of  the  procla- 
mation— "My  child,  you  possess  a  "wonderful  gift,  but 
that  it  is  of  God  I  have  no  doubt." — Notes. 

ABOUT  half  past  eight  o'clock  of  the  evening  of 
this  day  I  was  lying  exhausted  on  the  sofa, 
when  a  carriage  halted  at  the  door.  Mr.  Laurie  en- 
tered hurriedly,  asking  if  the  "  children"  had  gone 
(Parnie  and  myself).  Mr.  Foster  explained  that  we 
were  still  there,  and  the  reason  therefor.  Mr.  Laurie 
seemed  delighted  that  we  had  been  delayed  ;  and  came 
at  once  to  my  side,  and  kindly  said,  "  Get  ready  at 
once  and  go  to  my  house  with  me,  and  I  think  we  can 


MRS.   MARY  IvINCOLN. 
From  photograph  from  life,  presented  by  .her  to  Mrs.  N.  C.  Maynard. 


FIRST  MEETING  WITH  LINCOLN.  65 

remedy  the  loss  of  this  furlough."  It  was  a  ray  of 
light  in  dense  darkness.  Without  saying  a  word,  I 
hastily  prepared  myself  and  was  surprised  to  find  a 
most  eleo!;ant  carriaore  at  the  door  to  receive  us.  Its 
crimson  satin  cushions  should  have  told  me  whose  car- 
riage it  was  ;  but  my  mind  was  so  fraught  with  my 
trouble  that  I  barely  noticed  the  fact  that  a  footman 
in  plain  livery  opened  the  door  for  us,  and  we  were 
soon  on  our  way  to  Georgetown.  On  my  arrival  I 
was  astonished  to  be  presented  first  to  Mrs.  Lincoln,* 

■^  At  this  time  Mrs.  Lincobi*  was  a  prepossessing-looking 
•woman,  apparently  about  thirty  years  of  age,  possibly  older, 
with  an  abundance  of  rich  dark-brown  hair,  large  and  impres- 
sive eyes,  so  shifting  that  their  color  was  almost  undecided, 
their  brightness  giving  a  peculiar  animation  to  her  countenance. 
Her  face  was  oval,  the  features  excellent,  complexion  white 
and  fair,  teeth  regular,  and  her  smile  winning  and  kindly. 
She  was  somewhat  over  medium  height,  with  full,  rounded 
form,  and  under  any  circumstances  would  be  pronounced  a 
handsome  woman.  In  manner  she  was  occasionally  quick  and 
excitable,  and  would,  while  under  excitement  or  adverse  cir- 
cumstances, completely  give  way  to  her  feelings.  In  short,  she 
was  lacking  in  the  general  control,  demeanor,  and  suavity  of 
manner  which  we  naturally  expect  from  one  in  high  and 
exalted  position.  She  was  ever  kind  and  gracious  to  me ;  yet  I 
could  never  feel  for  her  that  perfect  respect  and  reverence  that 
I  desired  to  entertain  regarding  the  chief  lady  of  the  land. 

*  It  is  generally  known  that  Mrs.  Lincoln  was  a  Kentuckian,  and 
of  Southern  proclivities,  although  always  loyal  to  the  cause  espoused 
b/ the  President. 
5 


66  ^^-^'S'  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALLST? 

the  wife  of  President  Lincoln,  then  to  Mr.  Newton, 
Secretary  of  the  Interior  Department,  and  the  Rev. 
John  Pierpont,*  at  that  time  one  of  the  chief  clerks  in 
the  Treasury  building.  The  Hon.  D.  E.  Somes  was 
also  present-  Mrs.  Lincoln  informed  me  that  she  had 
heard  of  the  wonderful  powers  of  Mrs.  Miller,  Mr.  Lau- 
rie's daughter,  and  had  called  to  witness  the  physical 
manifestations  through  her  mediumship.  He  had  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  see  a  trance  medium,  when  they 
had  told  her  of  myself,  fearing  that  I  was  already  on 
my  way  to  Baltimore  with  my  brother,  as  I  expected  to 
leave  that  evening.  She  had  said  at  once,  "  Perhaps 
they  have  not  gone  ;  suppose  you  take  the  carriage 
and  ascertain."    Mr.  Laurie  went,  and  found  me,  as  I 

*  Key.  John  Pierpont  was  a  tall,  slender  man,  straight  and 
commanding  in  appearance,  and  over  eighty  years  of  age,  with 
the  quick  step  and  alert  manner  of  a  boy.  He  was  an  uncom- 
promising temperance  advocate,  and  attributed  his  great  age, 
excellent  sight  and  hearing,  and  general  good  health  to  this 
virtue.  He  had  been  a  Unitarian  (?)  minister  for  many  years, 
from  which  denomination  he  resigned  his  pastorate  to  embrace 
the  truths  of  Spirituahsm.  He  was  a  poet  and  writer  of  recog- 
nized ability,  a  scholarly,  refined  gentleman,  respected  by  all 
who  knew  him,  and  at  the  time  mentioned  was  in  possession  of 
a  valuable  post  in  the  Treasury  Department.  He  had  the 
absolute  confidence  of  Mr.  and  INIrs.  Lincoln,  and  1  often  met 
him  in  the  company  of  Mrs.  Lincoln.  In  brief,  he  was  just 
the  sort  of  man  to  cement  a  lasting  friendship  with  the  Presi- 
dent. 


FIRST  MEETING  WITH  LINCOLN.  67 

have  stated,  prostrated  from  my  long  anxiety  and 
trouble.  But  for  the  loss  of  that  furlough  this  meet- 
ing would  not  have  taken  place.  Mrs.  Lincoln  noticed 
ray  swollen  eyes  and  inflamed  cheeks,  and  inquired 
kindly  the  cause.  Mr.  Laurie  briefly  explained.  She 
quickly  reassured  me,  saying,  "  Don't  worry  any  more 
about  it.  Your  brother  shall  have  another  furloudi, 
if  Mr.  Lincoln  has  to  give  it  himself."  Feeling  once 
more  happy  and  strong,  I  was  in  a  condition  to  quiet 
my  nerves  long  enough  to  enable  my  spirit  friends  to 
control  me.  Some  new  and  powerful  influence  ob- 
tained possession  of  my  organism  and  addressed 
Mrs.  Lincoln,  it  seemed,  with  great  clearness  and 
force,  upon  matters  of  State.  For  one  hour  I  was 
under  this  control.  "When  I  awoke  there  was  a  most 
earnest  and  excited  group  around  me  discussing  what 
had  been  said ;  and  Mrs.  Lincoln  exclaimed,  with 
great  earnestness,  ''This  young  lady  must  not  leave 
Washington.  I  feel  she  must  stay  here.,  and  Mr.  Lin- 
coln must  hear  what  we  have  heard.  It  is  all-im'port- 
ant^  and  he  'must  hear  it.^^  This  seemed  to  be  the 
general  impression.  Turning  to  me  she  said,  "  Don't 
think  of  leaving  Washington,  I  beg  of  you.  Can  you 
not  remain  with  us  ?"  *"!  briefly  explained  that  my 
livelihood  depended  on  my  efforts  as  a  speaker,  and  that 
there  was  no  opening  in  Washington  of  that  kind  for 
me.  But,  said  she,  "|There  are  other  things  you  can 
do.     Surely  young  ladies  get  excellent  pay  in  the  dif- 

I 

/ 

r 

/ 


68  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

ferent  departments,  and  you  can  have  a  position  in  one 
of  them,  I  am  sure."  Turning  to  Mr.  Newton,  who 
sat  at  her  right,  she  said,  "  You  employ  ladies,  do 
you  not,  Mr.  Newton  ?*  and  you  can  give  this  young 
lady  a  place  in  your  department  ?"  He  bowed,  all 
smiles,  saying,  "  I  have  only  very  old  ladies  and 
young  children  in  my  department ;  but  I  can  give 
this  young  lady  a  position  if  it  pleases  you."  She 
turned  to  me  then  in  her  sprightly  manner,  as  if  the 
whole  thing  was  settled,  and  exclaimed,  "  You  will 
stay  then  ;  will  you  not  ?"  I  said  I  would  consult  my 
friends,  and  see  what  was  best.  But  she  said,  "  You 
surely  will  not  go  until  Mr.  Lincoln  has  had  a  chance 
to  see  you  ?"  I  replied  I  would  not,  if  he  desired  to  see 
me.  She  then  turned  to  Mrs.  Laurie,  and  said,  "  Now, 
to-morrow,  you  go  with  this  young  lady  to  Mr.  Tucker  ; 
tell  him  you  go  by  my  direction,  and  just  how  the  case 
stands.  Tell  him  he  must  arrange  it  to  have  her 
brother  secure   another    furlough."     Soon  after,  she 

■^  The  Hon.  Isaac  Newton,  Chief  of  the  Agricultural  De- 
partment, was  about  sixty  or  sixty-five  years  of  age,  about  five 
feet  six  or  seven  inches,  thin  gray  hair,  smooth,  round,  full 
face,  fleshy,  and  rather  corpulent  of  figure;  of  kindly  heart, 
easy,  pleasant  manners,  and  possessed  of  considerable  ability  in 
the  management  of  people,  but  not  what  one  could  call  bril- 
liant or  master-minded.  It  is  needless  to  state  that  this  criticism 
is  the  result  of  later  and  maturer  judgment,  which  comes  from 
years  of  contact  and  friendship. 


FIRST  MEETING  WITH  LINCOLN.  69 

left,   and   Mr.    Somes   kindly    escorted    me    back   to 
Mr.  Foster's. 

The  next  morning  Mrs.  Laurie  came  for  me,  and  we 
went  to  the  office  of  the  Assistant-Secretary  of  War. 
I  hid  as  closely  as  possible  behind  the  stately  person 
of  Mrs.  Laurie  ;  but  my  old  friend  saw  me  and  came 
forward  to  inquire  how  I  was  and  if  all  was  well  with 
my  brother.  I  could  only  shake  my  head  and  sink 
into  a  chair,  leaving  Mrs.  Laurie  to  explain  matters. 
He  listened  patiently,  and  came  to  me  and  said  in  the 
kindest  manner :  "  You  seem  to  have  been  delayed  for 
some  important  purpose,  my  young  friend,  so  I  would 
not  be  overtroubled  about  it.  You  get  any  commis- 
sioned or  United  States  surgeon  to  examine  your 
brother  again,  and  if  he  affirms  he  is  still  unfit  for 
service  in  the  field  or  camp,  I  will  issue  a  new  fur- 
lough, if  you  bring  me  the  paper."  With  a  light 
heart  I  could  only  thank  him  ;  and  that  afternoon  my 
brother  and  myself  went  to  Mr.  Laurie's,  and  in  a  few 
hours  a  United  States  surgeon  from  the  Georgetown 
Hospital  made  the  requisite  examination  and  recom- 
mended him  a  furlough.  The  next  morning  I  carried 
it  to  Mr.  Tucker,  and  a  furlough  was  re-issued  by  the 
War  Department — this  time  for  thirty  days'  leave  of 
absence.  With  a  light  heart  I  went  to  my  brother 
with  the  paper  ;  and  that  night  Mr.  Laurie,  on  his 
return  from  the  Post-Office  Department,  placed  in  my 
hand  an  envelope,  which,  I  was  surprised  to  find,  con- 


70  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

tained  one  hundred  dollars  in  greenbacks,  and  a  slip 
of  paper  on  which  was  written  "  From  a  few  friends 
who  appreciate  a  sister's  devotion."  No  name  any- 
where to  tell  who  were  the  generous  donors  ;  and  I 
know  not  to  this  day  whence  came  this  most  welcome 
tribute. 

The  friends  I  had  made  in  Washington  were  deter- 
mined I  should  not  leave  that  city,  and  it  was  decided 
that  my  brother  should  take  my  mother  back  to  Hart- 
ford with  him,  with  all  her  household  effects  ;  that  I 
should  resign  my  position  in  Albany  ;  and  that  my 
friend  Miss  Hannum  should  join  me  in  Washington. 
This  programme  was  carried  out. 

The  day  following  my  brother's  departure  for  home, 
a  note  was  received  by  Mrs.  Laurie,  asking  her  to 
come  to  the  White  House  in  the  evening  with  her 
family,  and  to  bring  Miss  Nettie  with  her.  I  felt  all 
the  natural  trepidation  of  a  young  girl  about  to  enter 
the  presence  of  the  highest  magistrate  in  our  land ; 
being  fully  impressed  with  the  dignity  of  his  office,  and 
feeling  that  I  was  about  to  meet  some  superior  being ; 
and  it  was  almost  with  trembling  that  I  entered  with 
my  friends  the  Red  Parlor  of  the  White  House,  at  eight 
o'clock  that  evening  (December,  1862). 

Mrs.  Lincoln  received  us  graciously,  and  introduced 
us  to  a  gentleman  and  lady  present  whose  names  I 
have  forgotten.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  not  then  present. 
While  all  were  conversing  pleasantly  on  general  sub- 


FIRST  MEETING  WITH  LINCOLN.  71 

jects,  Mrs.  Miller  (Mr.  Laurie's  daughter)  seated  her- 
self, under  control,  at  the  double  grand  piano  at  one 
side  of  the  room,  seemingly  awaiting  some  one.  Mrs. 
Lincoln  was  talking  with  us  in  a  pleasant  strain  when 
suddenly  Mrs.  Miller's  hands  fell  upon  the  keys 
with  a  force  that  betokened  a  master  hand,  and  the 
strains  of  a  grand  march  filled  the  room.  As  the 
measured  notes  rose  and  fell  we  became  silent.  The 
heavy  end  of  the  piano  began  rising  and  falling  in 
perfect  time  to  the  music.  All  at  once  it  ceased,  and 
Mr.  Lincoln  stood  upon  the  threshold  of  the  room. 
(He  afterwards  informed  us  that  the  first  notes  of  the 
music  fell  upon  his  ears  as  he  reached  the  head  of  the 
grand  staircase  to  descend,  and  that  he  kept  step  to 
the  music  until  he  reached  the  doorway).  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Laurie  and  Mrs.  Miller  were  duly  presented. 
Then  I  was  led  forward  and  presented.  He  stood 
before  me,  tall  and  kindly,  with  a  smile  on  his  face. 
Dropping  his  hand  upon  my  head,  he  said,  in  a  humor- 
ous tone,  "  So  this  is  our  '  little  Nettie'  is  it,  that  we 
have  heard  so  much  about?"  I  could  only  smile  and 
say,  "  Yes,  sir,"  like  any  school-girl ;  when  he  kindly 
led  me  to  an  ottoman.  Sitting  down  in  a  chair,  the 
ottoman  at  his  feet,  he  began  asking  me  questions  in 
a  kindly  way  about  my  mediumship ;  and  I  think  he 
must  have  thought  me  stupid,  as  my  answers  were 
little  beyond  a  "  Yes"  and  *'  No."  His  manner,  how- 
ever, was  genial  and  kind,  and  it  was  then  suggested 


72  Tryl5  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

we  form  in  a  circle.  He  said,  "  Well,  how  do  you  do 
it?"  looking  at  me.  Mr.  Laurie  came  to  the  rescue, 
and  said  we  had  been  accustomed  to  sit  in  a  circle 
and  to  join  hands;  but  he  did  not  think  it  would  be 
necessary  in  this  instance.  While  he  was  yet  speak- 
ing, I  lost  all  consciousness  of  my  surroundings  and 
passed  under  control.  For  more  than  an  hour  I  was 
made  to  talk  to  him,  and  I  learned  from  my  friends 
afterward  that  it  was  upon  matters  that  he  seemed  fully  to 
understand,  while  they  comprehended  very  little  until 
that  portion  was  reached  that  related  to  the  forthcoming 
Emancipation  Proclamation.  He  was  charged  with 
the  utmost  solemnity  and  force  of  manner  not  to  abate 
the  terms  of  its  issue,  and  not  to  delay  its  enforcement 
as  a  law  beyond  the  opening  of  the  year ;  and  he  was 
assured  that  it  was  to  be  the  crowning  event  of  his 
administration  and  his  life;  and  that  while  he  was 
being  counseled  by  strong  parties  to  defer  the  enforce- 
ment of  it,  hoping  to  supplant  it  by  other  measures  and 
to  delay  action,  he  must  in  no  wise  heed  such  counsel, 
hut  stand  fimi  to  his  convictions  and  fearlessly  per- 
form the  toorh  and  fulfil  the  mission  for  which  he  had 
heen  raised  up  hy  an  overruling  Provideyice.  Those 
present  declared  that  they  lost  sight  of  the  timid  girl 
in  the  majesty  of  the  utterance,  the  strength  and  force 
of  the  language,  and  the  importance  of  that  which  was 
conveyed,  and   seemed  to  realize  that  some  strong 


FIRST  MEETING  WITH  LINCOLN.  73 

masculine  spirit  force  was  giving  speech  to  almost 
divine  commands. 

I  shall  never  forget  the  scene  around  me  when  I 
regained  consciousness.  I  was  standing  in  front  of 
Mr.  Lincoln^  and  he  was  sitting  hack  in  his  chair, 
with  his  arms  folded  iipon  his  breast,  looking  intently 
at  me.  I  stepped  back,  naturally  confused  at  the 
situation — not  remembering  at  once  where  I  was  ;  and 
glancing  around  the  group,  where  perfect  silence 
reigned.  It  took  me  a  moment  to  remember  my  where- 
abouts. 

A  gentleman  present  then  said  in  a  low  tone,  "  Mr. 
President,  did  you  notice  anything  peculiar  in  the 
method  of  address  ?"  Mr.  Lincoln  raised  himself,  as 
if  shaking  off  his  spell.  He  glanced  quickly  at  the  full- 
length  portrait  of  Daniel  Webster,  that  hung  above 
the  piano,  and  replied,  "  Yes,  and  it  is  very  singular, 
very !"  with  a  marked  emphasis. 

Mr.  Somes  said :  "  Mr.  President,  would  it  be  im- 
proper for  me  to  inquire  whether  there  has  been  any 
pressure  brought  to  bear  upon  you  to  defer  the  enforce- 
ment of  the  Proclamation  ?"  To  which  the  President 
replied  :  "  Under  these  circumstances  that  question  is 
perfectly  proper,  as  we  are  all  friends  [smiling  upon 
the  company].  It  is  taking  all  my  nerve  and  strength 
to  withstand  such  a  pressure.'''*  At  this  point  the 
gentlemen  drew  around  him,  and  spoke  together  in 
low  tones,  Mr.  Lincoln  saying  least  of  all.     At  last 


74  'iVAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

he  turned  to  me,  and  laying  his  hand  upon  my  head, 
uttered  these  words  in  a  manner  that  I  shall  never 
forget :  "  My  child,  you  possess  a  very  singular  gift ; 
but  that  it  is  of  God,  I  have  no  doubt.  I  thank  you 
for  coming  here  to-night.  It  is  more  important 
than  perhaps  any  one  present  can  understand.  I 
must  leave  you  all  now  ;  but  I  hope  I  shall  see  you 
again."  He  shook  me  kindly  by  the  hand,  bowed  to 
the  rest  of  the  company,  and  was  gone.  We  remained 
an  hour  lonorer,  talkincf  with  Mrs.  Lincoln  and  her 
friends,  and  then  returned  to  Georgetown.  Such  was 
my  first  interview  with  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  the 
memory  of  it  is  as  clear  and  vivid  as  the  evening  on 
wliicli  it  occurred.* 

* I  looked  up,  and  did  not  need  to  know 

by  any  one  telling  me  who  he  was.  Lincoln  stood  at  the  open 
window. 

He  was  looking  down,  yet  seeing  nothing.  His  eyes  were 
turned  inward.  He  was  thinking  of  the  great  work  and  duty 
that  lay  upon  his  soul.  I  think  I  never  saw  so  sad  a  face  in  my 
life,  and  I  have  looked  into  manv  a  mourner's  face.  I  have 
been  among  bereaved  families,  orphan  children,  widows  and 
strong  men  whose  hearts  have  been  broken  by  the  taking  away 
of  their  own ;  but  I  never  saw  the  depth  of  sorrow  that  seemed 
to  rest  upon  that  gaunt,  but  expressive  countenance.  Yet  there 
was  a  light  in  those  deep-sunk  eyes  that  showed  the  man  who 
was  before  me  as  perhaps  the  best  Christian  the  world  ever  saw, 
for  he  bore  the  world  upon  his  heart.  That  man  was  bearing  the 
country  of  his  birth  and  love  upon  his  naked  soul.     It  was  just 


■■  Mr.  Lincoln  turned  to  me.  and  laying  his  hand  upon  mv  head,  uttered 
these  words  in  a  manner  that  I  shall  never"yfor§:et :  •  Mv  child,  vou  possess  a 
ver>-  sinofular  gift  ;  but  that  it  is  of  God.  I  have  no  doubt.  I  thank  vou  for 
coming  here  to-night.  It  is  more  important  than  perhaps  anv  one  present  can 
understand."    " — Page  74. 


FIRST  MEETING  WITH  LINCOLN.  75 

one  look ;  but  I  never  have  forgotten  it,  and  through  the  dim- 
ness of  all  these  years  that  great  and  patient  man  looks  down 
upon  me  to  teach  me  how  to  bear,  and  how  to  do,  how  to  hope, 
and  how  ta  give  myself  for  my  fellow-men. 

Lincoln  was  a  noble  representative  of  free  institutions.  He 
stood  as  the  representative  of  that  liberty  which  had  been  won 
by  the  swords  of  the  Revolution,  which  had  been  organized  by 
the  earlier  settlers  of  the  Republic,  and  which  has  been  adorned 
by  many  years  of  growth  until  the  present  day.  The  Revolu- 
tion had  passed  before  Lincoln's  day;  but  he  was  a  typical 
representative  of  the  freedom  of  heart,  and  soul,  and  life  which 
ought  to  be  the  most  priceless  inheritance  of  every  American 
citizen.  I  think  this  was  evinced  in  his  whole  course  and  con- 
duct.    He  was  surrounded  bv  able  men. 

The  sword  and  the  pen  both  had  their  heroes  ;  but  before  this 
man  every  one  chose  to  pause,  and  his  choice  was  always  the 
wisest  of  all.  I  do  not  know  what  Lincoln  would  have  done 
without  support ;  but,  through  all  troubles,  the  individuality  of 
that  one  man,  his  unflinching  courage,  his  broad  sympathy  and 
charity,  his  homely  common  sense,  his  indomitable  rectitude  and 
unshaken  faith  ran  like  a  pulse  of  fire,  a  thread  of  gold. 

You  may  speak  of  the  arch  of  honor  that  spans  those  years 
of  struggle.  You  may  write  the  names  of  great  generals,  ad- 
mirals, statesmen,  senators,  and  governors  upon  separate 
stones.  But  on  that  one  stone  which  bound  them  together,  with- 
out which  the  arch  would  have  fallen  into  ruin  and  confusion, 
you  must  write  Lincoln's  name. 

I  mention  a  third  thing  for  which  Lincoln  was  great. 
"We  have  had  great  men  who  were  as  cold  as  the  marble  in 
which  their  statues  have  been  cast.  We  have  had  men  who 
had  no  more  warm  blood  in  their  hearts  than  the  bronze  tablets 
upon  their  tombs.  We  have  had  great  statesmen,  great  war- 
riors, great  philosophers,  great  men  of  letters,  all  of  them  cold 


76  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

as  icebergs,  with  no  popular  sympathies,  no  real  tenderness,  no 
heart  beneath  their  garments. 

We  have  had  men  placed  as  Lincoln  was  who  had  calmly 
written  out  his  same  gigantic  campaign  and  could  accept  death, 
peril,  or  disgrace,  as  well  as  honor,  with  the  same  calm  impassi- 
bility with  which  you  might  move  the  knight  or  the  bishop  from 
one  square  on  the  chessboard  to  another.  We  have  had  men  who 
left  behind  them  mighty  names  ;  and  no  one  child  sobbed  when 
they  were  gone.  But  not  a  dry  eye  appeared  amid  thousands 
of  children  when  the  splendid,  heroic  Lincoln,  with  his  wis- 
dom, sagacity,  and  patriotism,  was  taken  away.  He  carried  a 
tender  heart,  the  heart  of  a  little  child,  the  heart  of  a  woman 
when  she  has  given  her  promise  to  the  man  she  loves. 

Back  of  that  rough,  angular  form  and  seemingly  uncouth 
demeanor  there  lay  a  heart  as  white  as  snow,  and  so  dropping 
with  the  love  of  humanity  that,  if  I  were  to  take  out  of  one  of 
those  Christian  centuries  the  heart  of  the  one  whom  I  believed  to 
be  the  most  loving,  the  most  tender,  I  would  take  it  from  the 
breast  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  What  soldier  in  his  standinor 
army,  bleeding  and  with  dusty  ^qqX^  could  enter  the  chamber  of 
any  other  ruler  in  this  world  and  plead  his  cause  as  to  a  friend  ? 
What  woman,  tearful  because  her  son  was  in  peril,  when  a 
stroke  of  the  President's  hand  would  set  him  free,  could  any- 
where else  force  her  way  to  him  through  lines  of  senators,  and 
then  receive  consolation  ?  What  man,  within  the  memory  of 
men,  has  ruled  without  jealousy  and  fanaticism,  and  to  whom 
every  man  in  the  land  could  turn  in  thought,  in  hope,  in 
prayer,  as  to  a  patient  or  never-failing  friend  ?  Was  there  ever 
a  leader  of  the  American  people  who  got  so  near  the  heart  of 
his  generation  as  did  Abraham  Lincoln  ?  And  perhaps,  with 
all  his  greatness,  this  is  one  of  his  greatest  claims  to  immortal 
memory.  The  warrior  dies ;  the  honored  philosopher  fades 
away  with  the  changes  of  time  ;  the  scientific  man  is  blotted 


FIRST  MEETING  WITH  LINCOLN,  77 

out  by  the  record  of  successive  thought ;  the  poet's  sweetest  lays 
may  be  folded  away  like  a  garment,  to  put  some  newer  and 
better  one  in  its  place ;  but  the  love  of  the  human  heart  is  the 
one  endurinj;  thing  in  this  world  of  ours  ;  and  where  all  these 
tilings  will  pass  away,  the  man  who  is  a  lover  of  his  country, 
who  is  a  lover  of  his  native  land,  is  the  man  whose  immortality 
is  best  secured,  and  that  man  was  Abraham  Lincoln. 

I  can  say  nothing,  in  this  brief  review  of  his  great  work,  of  the 
emancipation  of  the  slave,  except  to  say  that  that  patience,  wis- 
dom, and  infallible  instinct  as  to  the  right  time  of  doing  anything 
is  illustrated  in  this,  perhaps,  as  in  no  other  single  incident  of 
his  career.  And  when  I  come  to  one  effort  it  seems  to  me  I 
wanted  to  lay  my  fingers  on  my  lips  and  never  speak  another 
word.  When  he  climbed  that  height  at  Gettysburg,  and  stood 
on  the  scene  of  the  terrible  conflict,  on  that  ground  made 
sacred  with  the  bodies  of  our  patriot  soldiers,  the  eloquence  of 
his  lips,  the  impressiveness  of  his  mien,  and  the  words  uttered 
by  his  heart  through  his  tongue,  made  that  oration  which,  in 
the  history  of  American  eloquence,  puts  culture  into  the  shade, 
for  it  was  the  eloquence  of  the  noblest  American  upon  the 
noblest  occasion  in  the  history  of  mankind. 

In  the  old  days  every  cathedral  had  its  chime  of  bells. 
A  new  bell  had  to  be  cast,  and  it  was  to  be  strung  up  far  into 
the  tower  to  exercise  the  demons  and  call  the  people  to  morn- 
ing worship.  The  bell  was  in  process  of  casting  in  the  mould, 
and  there  were  joy  and  gladness.  Priests  brought  the  crucibles 
and  bronze  articles  to  the  mould,  and  the  molten  metal  began 
to  make  its  way  toward  the  great  hole  in  which  the  cast  was 
being  prepared.  Suddenly  the  great  gathering  was  swayed 
with  some  sudden  emotion.  There  v/as  a  danger  of  the  failure 
of  the  cast  through  insufficient  metal.  The  cry  was.  What  shall 
be  done?  It  was  soon  decided.  Every  one  gave  something, 
some  article  of  value  to  cast  into  the  seething  pot.     Women 


78  ^VAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

tore  off  their  bracelets.  Others  ran  and  brought  silver  vessels ; 
priests  brought  the  appurtenances  of  the  sanctuary  and  flunor 
them  into  the  seething,  boiling  furnace ;  and  at  last  there  was 
sufficient.  It  cooled,  and  was  swung  into  the  tower,  and  there 
never  was  a  sweeter-toned  bell  in  all  the  world,  and  the  sacri- 
fices that  had  been  made  in  flinging  the  treasure  into  the  bell 
made  its  notes  those  of  silver  and  gold  as  they  rang  out  on  the 
sweet  morning  air.  The  old  bell  that  proclaimed  liberty  at 
Philadelphia  is  a  useless  bell  to-day.  We  have  done  the  cast- 
ing all  these  years  of  that  bell  of  liberty  which  is  to  be  rung  in 
the  ages  to  come,  high  up  above  the  people  and  the  sound  of 
the  nations  and  the  war  and  the  peace  of  the  world. 

We  hope  and  pause  when  the  golden  bell  is  rung,  and  we 
seem  to  hear  its  silver  chiming  as  it  calls  to  prayer.  We  hear 
its  deeper  notes  when  it  warns  us  with  its  significant  alarm  and 
joyous  clang  that  it  is  positively  above  us.  How  sweet  is  that 
bell  of  liberty !  Let  us  not  forget  what  makes  it  sweet  is  be- 
cause men  have  cast  sacrifices  for  the  golden  hope  of  manhood 
and  life.  Let  us  not  forcret  that  if  it  rings  so  sweetly  and  is  to 
ring  forever  in  the  name  of  liberty,  some  of  that  sweetness 
comes  from  Abraham  Lincoln  ;  for,  when  that  bell  was  in  the 
molten  furnace  of  war  and  the  crucible  of  trial,  there  was  cast 
into  it  the  pure  gold  of  his  manly  life. 

Rev.  E.  C.  Bolles,  at  Lafayette  Camp. 


WE  MAKE  HISTORY.  79 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

WE  MAKE  HISTORY. 

We  enter  the  Interior  ])epartment — Form  the  acquaintance  of 
Mrs.  Anna  M.  Cosby — Meet  Geo.  D.  Prentiss  and  many 
prominent  people — Frequently  visit  the  White  House — 
We  hold  a  stance  at  Laurie's,  the  President  attending — 
"  Bonnie  Doon" — Mrs.  Miller  causes  the  piano  to  dance — 
The  scene  at  the  front  depicted — The  President  advised 
by  "Dr.  Bamford"  to  go  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
and  talk  with  the  soldiery — "The  simplest  remedies  the 
best" — The  President  grants  a  furlough  to  A.  L.  Gurney 
- — The  President  speaks  his  views  upon  spiritualistic  com- 
munications— Advised  not  to  make  the  stances  public  in- 
formation— Mrs.  Miller  moves  the  piano  while  the  Presi- 
dent sits  upon  it — Notes. 

ON  the  Monday  following  I  found  employment 
(through  the  kindness  of  Mrs.  Lincoln)  in  the 
seed-room,  a  division  of  the  "  Department  of  the  In- 
terior," which  was  under  the  control  of  Mr.  Newton. 
This  room  was  part  of  a  building  on  F  Street  near 
Seventh,  where  fifty  to  sixty  occupants,  the  majority 
old  ladies,  and  the  balance  children  between  the  ages 
of  ten  and  twelve,  found  employment.  My  duties 
consisted  of  sewing  together  the  ends  of  curious  little 
sacks — each  sack  containing  a  gill  of  seed  corn,  beans, 


80  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

etc.,  as  the  case  might  be  ;  which  work  was  little  more 
than  mere  pastime.  We  entered  the  room  at  nine  in 
the  morning,  leaving  it  at  twelve  ;  returning  at  one, 
and  leaving  again  at  three  in  the  afternoon.  For  this 
work  I  received  one  dollar  per  day.  A  few  days 
later  my  friend  Parnie  joined  me,  also  entering  this 
room,  doing  the  same  work,  and  receiving  the  same 
compensation. 

In  the  meantime  my  evenings  were  well  filled  with 
circles,  which  were  attended  by  many  of  the  most 
prominent  people  in  Washington.  Among  those  I 
met  and  learned  to  love,  and  who  in  turn  became 
warmly  attached  to  myself  and  friend,  was  Mrs.  Anna 
M.  Cosby,*  whose  father,  Mr.  Robt.  Mills,!  was  the 
architect  of  the  public  buildings  of  Washington ;  and 
whose  husband  was  at  this  time  consul  at  Geneva  (?). 

*  Mrs.  Anna  Mills  Cosby,  -wife  of  Fortunatus  Cosby,  and 
daughter  of  the  late  Robert  Mills,  was  a  Southerner  by  birth, 
and  a  most  worthy  advocate  of  Spiritualism.  She  was  a  true 
Christian  and  a  lovable  friend.  She  died  May  31,  1864,  her 
funeral  services  being  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Byron  Sunder- 
land, who  is  still  in  charge  of  a  pastorate  in  Washington. 
See  Appended  Notes. 

f  Robert  Mills  was  the  first  educated  American  architect.  He 
was  the  designer  of  the  Bunker  Hill  jNIonument,  and  the  archi- 
tect of  the  Washinfrton  Monument  in  Baltimore  He  also  de- 
signed  and  built  the  Capitol  at  Washington.  He  was  a  high 
Mason,  and  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  his  time.  See 
Appended  Notes. 


»^  i 


MRS.  ANNA  M.  COSBY. 
From  photograph  from  life,  presented  by  her  to  Mns.  N.  C.  Mayiiard,  1863. 


WE  MAKE  HISTORY.  81 

Her  home  was  a  solid  brick  mansion  on  Capitol  Hill — 
historical  in  its  associations ;  having  been  known  in 
Washington's  day  as  the  "  Old  Bell  Tavern ;"  after- 
wards used  as  a  bank  until  Mr.  Mills  changed  it  to 
a  family  residence.  The  old  vaults  still  remained 
beneath  the  building ;  and  its  quaint  arrangement  and 
winding  stairway  were  a  novelty  to  my  Northern  eyes. 
The  first  floor  of  her  house  was  occupied  by  John  W. 
Forney ;  and  a  beautiful  chamber  on  the  second  floor 
was  usually  occupied  by  General  Simon  Cameron 
when  in  Washington. 

This  lady  was  the  patroness,  as  her  father  had  been 
patron  before  her,  of  the  Columbia  Fire  Company  ; 
which  was  located  very  near  her  residence.  It  was  to 
her  and  her  family  that  this  company  was  indebted  for 
the  many  privileges  it  enjoyed — her  father  being  ac- 
tive in  establishing  it,  and  furnishing  it  with  the  motto, 

*'  The  performance  of  duty  insures  the  protection  of  God." 

This  lady,  after  a  time,  insisted  upon  our  "  making  her 
house  our  home  ;'*  and  in  its  refining  and  elevating 
atmosphere,  surrounded  by  all  that  wealth  could  give, 
we  passed  many  happy  weeks  and  formed  many  pleas- 
ant associations.  At  her  house  I  met  with  Mr.  Joshua 
Speed,  Mr.  Lincoln's  former  law  partner.  At  one  of 
her  circles,  held  in  her  beautiful  parlors,  I  also  met 
Geo.  D.  Prentiss,  the  well-known  editor  of  the  "  Louis- 
ville Journal."  Here  I  gave  many  private  sittings  to 
6 


82  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

distinguished  people,  whose  names  I  never  knew  ;  but 
who  were  apparently  earnest  investigators,  and  seemed 
satisfied  with  the  truths  they  obtained.  In  short, 
every  moment  was  filled  to  the  uttermost,  and  the  time 
so  occupied  passed  quickly  and  pleasantly. 

Prior  to  leaving  Mr.  Laurie's  to  become  the  guest 
of  Mrs.  Cosby  I  had  another  important  interview  with 
President  Lincoln.  One  morning,  early  in  February, 
we  received  a  note  from  Mrs.  Lincoln,  saying  she  de- 
sired us  to  come  over  to  Georgetown  and  bring  some 
friends  for  a  seance  that  evening,  and  wished  the 
"  young  ladies"  to  be  present.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  evening,  before  her  arrival,  my  little  messenger, 
or  "  familiar"  spirit,  controlled  me,  and  declared  that 
(the  "  long  brave,"  as  she  denominated  him)  Mr.  Lin- 
coln would  also  be  there.  As  Mrs.  Lincoln  had  made 
no  mention  of  his  coming  in  her  letter,  we  were  sur- 
prised at  the  statement.  Mr.  Laurie  rather  ques- 
tioned its  accuracy ;  as  he  said  it  would  be  hardly 
advisable  for  President  Lincoln  to  leave  the  Wliite 
House  to  attend  a  spiritual  seance  anywhere  ;  and 
that  he  did  not  consider  it  "  good  policy"  to  do  so. 
However,  when  the  bell  rang,  Mr.  Laurie,  in  honor  of 
his  expected  guests,  went  to  the  door  to  receive  them 
in  person.  His  astonishment  was  great  to  find 
Mr.  Lincoln  standing  on  the  threshold,  wrapped  in 
his  long  cloak ;  and  to  hear  his  cordial  "  Good  even- 
ing," as  he  put  out  his  hand  and  entered.    Mr.  Laurie 


WE  MAKE  HISTORY.  83 

promptly  exclaimed,  "  Welcome,  Mr.  Lincoln,  to  my 
humble  roof;  you  were  expected"  (Mr.  Laurie  was  one 
of  the  "  old-school  gentlemen").  Mr.  Lincoln  stopped 
in  the  act  of  removing  his  cloak,  and  said,  "  Ex- 
pected!  Tr//?/,  it  is  only  five  minutes  si^ice  I  knew 
that  I  was  coming^  He  came  down  from  a  cabinet 
meeting  as  Mrs.  Lincoln  and  her  friends  were  about 
to  enter  the  carriage,  and  asked  them  where  they 
were  going.  She  replied,  ''  To  Georgetown ;  to  a 
circle."  He  answered  immediately,  "  Hold  on  a  mo- 
ment; I  will  go  with  you."  "Yes,"  said  Mrs.  Lin- 
coln, "  and  I  was  never  so  surprised  in  my  life."  He 
seemed  pleased  when  Mr.  Laurie  explained  the  source 
of  our  information ;  and  I  think  it  had  a  tendency  to 
prepare  his  mind  to  receive  what  followed,  and  to 
obey  the  instructions  given. 

On  this  occasion,  as  he  entered  the  parlor,  I  made 
bold  to  say  to  him,  "  I  would  like  to  speak  a  word 
with  you,  Mr.  Lincoln,  before  you  go,  after  the  circle." 
"  Certainly,"  he  said  ;  "  remind  me,  should  I  forget  it." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Laurie,  with  their  daughter,  Mrs.  Mil- 
ler, at  his  request,  sang  several  fine  old  Scotch  airs — 
among  them,  one  that  he  declared  a  favorite,  called 
"  Bonnie  Doon."  I  can  see  him  now,  as  he  sat  in  the 
old  high-backed  rocking-chair ;  one  leg  thrown  over 
the  arm ;  leaning  back  in  utter  weariness,  with  his 
eyes  closed,  listening  to  the  low,  strong,  and  clear  yet 
plaintive  notes,  rendered  as  only  the  Scotch  can  sing 


84  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

their  native  melodies.  I  looked  at  his  face,  and  it 
appeared  tired  and  haggard.  He  seemed  older  by 
years  than  when  I  had  seen  him  a  few  weeks  pre- 
viously.*    The  whole  party  seemed  anxious  and  trou- 

*  My  friend,  Francis  B.  Carpenter,  has  given  a  correct 
picture  of  Lincoln:  "In  repose,  it  was  the  saddest  face 
I  ever  knew.  There  were  davs  when  I  could  scarcelv  look 
into  it  without  crying.  During  the  first  week  of  the  battles 
of  the  Wilderness  he  scarcely  slept  at  all.  Passing  through 
the  main  hall  of  the  domestic  apartment  on  one  of  these  days, 
I  met  him,  clad  in  a  long  morning- wrapper,  pacing  back  and 
forth  a  narrow  passage  leading  to  one  of  the  windows,  his  hands 
behind  him,  great  black  rings  under  his  eyes,  his  head  bent 
forward  upon  his  breast  = — altogether  such  a  picture  of  the  effects 
of  sorrow,  care,  and  anxiety  as  would  have  melted  the  hearts 
of  the  worst  of  his  adversaries,  who  so  mistakenly  applied  to 
him  the  epithets  of  tyrant  and  usurper.  With  a  sorrow  almost 
divine,  he,  too,  could  have  said  of  the  rebellious  States,  '  How 
often  would  I  have  -gathered  you  together,  even  as  a  hen  gath- 
ereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and  ye  would  not  /'  Like 
another  Jeremiah,  he  wept  over  the  desolations  of  the  nation ; 
'he  mourned  the  slain  of  the  daughter  of  his  people.' 

"  Surely,  ruler  never  manifested  so  much  sympathy,  and  ten- 
derness, and  charity.  How,  hke  the  last  words  of  the  Divine 
one  himself,  '  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what 
they  do,'  will  the  closing  sentences  of  his  last  inaugural  address 
resound  in  solemn  cadence  through  the  coming  centuries. 
Truly  and  well,  says  the  London  '  Spectator'  of  that  address : 
'  We  cannot  read  it  without  a  renewed  conviction  that  it  is  the 
noblest  political  document  known  to  history,  and  should  have 
for  the  nation  and  the  statesmen  he  left  behind  him  something 
of  a  sacred  and  almost  prophetic  character.     Surely,  none  was 


WE  MAKE  HISTORY.  85 

bled ;  but  all  interest  centered  in  the  chief,  and  all 
eyes  and  thoughts  were  turned  on  him.  At  the  end 
of  the  song  he  turned  to  me  and  said,  "  Well,  Miss 
Nettie  ;  do  you  think  you  have  anything  to  say  to  me 
to-nio^ht?"  At  first  I  thouo;ht  he  referred  to  the  re- 
quest  I  had  made  when  he  entered  the  room.  Recol- 
lecting myself,  however,  I  said,  "  If  /  have  not,  there 
may  be  others  who  have."  He  nodded  his  head  in  a 
pleasant  manner,  saying,  "  Suppose  we  see  what  they 
will  have  to  tell  us." 

Among  the  spirit  friends  that  have  ever  controlled 
me  since  my  first  development  was  one  I  have  before 
mentioned — known  as  "  old  Dr.  Bamford."  He  was 
quite  a  favorite  with  Mr.  Lincoln.  His  quaint  dialect, 
old-fashioned  methods  of  expression,  straightforward- 
ness in  arriving  at  his  subject,  together  with  fearless- 
ness of  utterance,  recommended  him  as  no  finished 
style  could  have  done.  This  spirit  took  possession  of 
me  at  once.  As  I  learned  from  those  in  the  circle, 
the  substance  of  Ms  remarks  was  as  follows  :  "  That  a 
very  precarious  state  of  things  existed  at  the  front, 
where  General  Hooker  had  just  taken  command.  The 
army   was    totally    demoralized ;    regiments    stacking 

ever  written  under  a  stronger  sense  of  the  reality  of  (jod's 
government.  And  certainly  none  written  in  a  period  of  pas- 
sionate conHict  ever  so  completely  excluded  the  partiality  of 
victorious  faction,  and  breathed  so  pure  a  strain  of  mingled 
justice  and  mercy.'  " 


86  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

arms,  refusing  to  obey  orders  or  to  do  duty  ;  threaten- 
ing a  general  retreat ;  declaring  their  purpose  to  re- 
turn to  Washington.  A  vivid  picture  was  drawn  of 
the  terrible  state  of  affairs,  greatly  to  the  surprise  of 
all  present,  save  the  chief  to  whom  the  words  were 
addressed.  When  the  picture  had  been  painted  in 
vivid  colors,  Mr.  Lincoln  quietly  remarked :  "  You 
seem  to  understand  the  situation.  Can  you  point  out 
the  remedy  ?''  Dr.  Bamford  immediately  replied : 
^' Yes ;  if  you  have  the  courage  to  use  ity  "He 
smiled,"  they  said,  and  answered,  "  Try  mey  The 
old  doctor  then  said  to  him,  "  It  is  one  of  the  sim- 
plest, and  being  so  simple  it  may  not  appeal  to  you  as 
being  sufficient  to  cope  with  what  threatens  to  prove  a 
serious  difficulty.  The  remedy  lies  with  yourself. 
Go  in  person  to  the  front ;  taking  ivith  you  your  wife 
and  children;  leaving  behind  your  official  dignity^ 
and  all  maimer  of  display.  Resist  the  importunities 
of  officials  to  accompany  you,  ayid  take  only  such  at- 
tendants as  may  he  absolutely  necessary ;  avoid  the 
high  grade  officers,  and  seek  the  tents  of  the  private 
soldiers.  Inquire  into  their  grievances  ;  shoto  your- 
self to  be  what  you  are,  '  The  Father  of  your  People.^ 
Make  them  feel  that  you  are  interested  in  their 
sufferings,  and  that  you  are  not  unmindful  of  the 
many  trials  ivhich  beset  them  in  their  march  through 
the  dismal  sivamps,  whereby  both  their  courage  and 
numbers  have  been  depleted.^''     He  quietly  remarked, 


WE  MAKE  HISTORY.  87 

"  If  that  will  do  any  good,  it  is  easily  done."  The 
doctor  instantly  replied,  "  It  will  do  all  that  is  re- 
quired. It  ivill  unite  the  soldiers  as  one  man.  It 
will  unite  them  to  you  in  hands  of  steel.  And  iioiv, 
if  you  would  prevent  a  serious  j  if  not  fatal  ^  disaster 
to  your  cause,  let  the  news  he  promulgated  at  once, 
and  disseminated  throughout  the  camp  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac.  Have  it  scattered  hroadcast  that  you 
are  on  the  eye  of  visiting  the  front ;  that  you  are  not 
talking  of  it,  hut  that  it  is  settled  that  you  are  going, 
and  are  now  getting  into  readiness.  This  will  stop 
insubordination  and  hold  the  soldiers  in  check  :  bein*! 
something  to  divert  their  minds,  and  they  will  wait  to 
see  what  your  coming  portends."  He  at  once  said,  "if 
shall  he  done.^^  A  long  conversation  then  followed 
between  the  doctor  and  Mr.  Lincoln  regarding  the 
state  of  affairs,  and  the  war  generally.  The  old  doctor 
told  him  ''  that  he  would  be  renominated  and  re-elected 
to  the  presidency."  They  said  that  he  sadly  smiled 
when  this  was  told  him,  saying,  "  It  is  hardly  an 
honor  to  be  coveted,  save  one  could  find  it  his  duty  to 
accept  it." 

After  the  circle  was  over,  Mr.  Laurie  said,  ''  Mr. 
Lincoln,  is  it  possible  that  affairs  are  as  bad  as  has 
been  depicted  ?"  He  said,  "  They  can  hardly  be  ex- 
aggerated ;  but  I  ask  it  as  a  favor  of  all  present  that 
they  do  not  speak  of  these  things.  The  Major  there," 
pointing  to  an  officer  of  that  rank  who  was  in  their 


88  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST'? 

party,  "  has  just  brought  despatches  froui  the  '  front' 
depicting  the  state  of  affairs  pretty  much  as  our  old 
friend  has  shown  it ;  and  we  were  just  having  a  Cabi- 
net meeting  regarding  the  matter,  when  something,  I 
know  not  what,  induced  me  to  leave  the  room  and 
come  down  stairs,  when  I  found  Mrs.  Lincoln  in  the 
act  of  coming  here.  I  felt  it  might  be  of  service  for 
me  to  come  ;  I  did  not  know  wherefore."  He  dropped 
his  head  as  he  said  this — leaning  forward  in  his  chair 
as  if  he  were  thinking  aloud.  Then,  looking  up  sud- 
denly, he  remarked,  ""Matters  are  pretty  serious  down 
there,  and  perhaps  the  simplest  remedy  is  the  best.  1 
have  often  noticed  in  life  that  little  things  have  some- 
times greater  weight  than  larger  ones.''''  As  they 
rose  to  depart,  he  turned  to  me  and  said,  "  Now  I  will 
hear  what  you  wish  to  say  to  me."  Going  to  one 
side  of  the  parlor,  w^e  sat  down,  and  I  laid  before  him 
the  case  of  a  friend  who  had  been  nearly  two  years 
in  the  service  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  who 
was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Thirtieth  N.  Y.  Regiment.  He 
had  seen  hard  service  in  camp  and  field,  and  had 
never  asked  for  a  furlough  during  that  period.  At 
this  time,  as  his  colonel  was  ordered  to  Washington  on 
duty  for  a  few  weeks,  he  sent  in  a  petition  to  the  AVar 
Department  for  a  furlough,  signed  by  all  the  superior 
officers  of  his  regiment  and  brigade.  Not  doubting 
the  granting  of  the  furlough,  nor  waiting  for  its  arrival, 
feeling  sure  of  its  coming  and  being  forwarded,  he 


"  1  felt  it  niig'ht  be  of  service  lor  nie  to  come  ;  I  did  not  know  wherefore." 
He  dropped  his  head  as  he  said  this — Icaninsi:  forward  in  his  chair  as  if  he  were 
thinking  alond.  Then,  looking;  np  suddenly,  he  remarked,  "  Matters  are  pretty 
serious  down  there,  and  perhaps  the  siniple.st  remedy  is  the  best.  I  have  often 
noticed  in  life  that  little  things  have  sometimes  greater  weight  than  larger 
ones." — PageSS. 


WE  MAKE  HISTORY.  89 

went  with  his  colonel  to  Washington.  Unfortunately, 
the  day  before,  he  had  received  the  announcement 
that  the  application  had  been  rejected,  and  that  an 
order  was  then  at  the  department  for  his  arrest  for 
"  absence  without  leave."  1  stated  these  facts  in  full 
to  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  said  to  him,  "  This  young  man  is 
a  true  soldier,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  respond  to 
the  call  for  troops.  He  has  no  desire  or  disposition  to 
avoid  or  shirk  his  duty,  and  is  intending  to  return  and 
give  himself  up  as  soon  as  his  colonel's  business  is 
completed.  It  occurred  to  me  that  you  would  be  kind 
enough  to  interpose  your  hand  between  him  and  the 
consequences  of  his  rashness  in  leaving  the  camp 
before  the  arrival  of  his  furlough."  He  pleasantly 
smiled,  and  said,  "  I  have  so  much  to  think  of  now,  I 
shall  forget  all  about  this.  You  write  it  all  out  to  me, 
giving  me  his  name  and  regiment,  and  bring  it  to  me 
to-morrow."  Feeling  sure  of  my  cause,  I  was  de- 
lighted, and  thought  of  the  pleasant  surprise  I  had  in 
store  for  my  friend. 

Mr.  Lincoln  bade  us  all  a  pleasant  "good-night" 
and  departed,  leaving  us  to  talk  over  the  curious  cir- 
cumstances of  his  coming  and  of  its  results. 

It  was  at  this  seance  that  Mrs.  Belle  Miller  gave  an 
example  of  her  power  as  a  "  moving  medium,"  and 
highly  amused  and  interested  us  by  causing  the  piano  to 
"  waltz  around  the  room,"  as  was  facetiously  remarked 
in  several  recent  newspaper  articles.    The  true  state- 


90  ^VAS  LIXCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

ment  is  as  follows :  Mrs.  Miller  played  upon  the 
piano  (a  three-corner  grand),  and  under  her  influence 
it  "rose  and  fell,"  keeping  time  to  her  touch  in  a 
perfectly  regular  manner.  Mr.  Laurie  suggested  that, 
as  an  added  ''  test"  of  the  invisible  po^Yer  that  moved 
the  piano,  Mrs.  Miller  (his  daughter)  should  place 
her  hand  on  the  instrument,  standing  at  ami's  length 
from  it,  to  show  that  she  was  in  no  wise  connected 
with  its  movement  other  than  as  agent,  Mr.  Lincoln 
then  placed  his  hand  underneath  the  piano,  at  the  end 
nearest  Mrs.  Miller,  who  placed  her  left  hand  upon 
his  to  demonstrate  that  neither  strength  nor  pressure 
was  used.  In  this  position  the  piano  rose  and  fell  a 
number  of  times  at  her  bidding.  At  Mr.  Laurie's 
desire  the  President  changed  his  position  to  another 
side,  meeting:  with  the  same  result. 

The'  President,  with  a  quaint  smile,  said,  "  I  think 
we  can  hold  down  that  instrument."  Whereupon  he 
climbed  upon  it,  sitting  with  his  legs  dangling  over  the 
side,  as  also  did  Mr.  Somes,  S.  P.  Kase,  and  a  soldier 
in  the  uniform  of  a  major  (who,  if  living,  will  recall  the 
strange  scene)  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The 
piano,  notwithstanding  this  enormous  added  weight, 
continued  to  wabble  about  until  the  sitters  were  glad 
"  to  vacate  the  premises."  We  were  convinced  that 
there  were  no  mechanical  contrivances  to  produce  the 
strange  result,  and  Mr.  Lincoln  expressed  himself 
perfectly  satisfied  that  the  motion  was  caused  by  some 


WE  MAKE  HISTORY.  91 

"  invisible  power  ;*'  and  when  Mr.  Somes  remarked, 
"  When  I  have  related  to  my  acquaintances,  Mr. 
President,  that  which  I  have  experienced  to-night, 
they  will  say,  with  a  knowing  look  and  wise  demeanor, 
'  You  were  psychologized,  and  as  a  matter  of  fact 
(versus  fancy)  you  did  not  see  what  you  in  reality  did 
seeJ*  "  Mr.  Lincoln  quietly  replied,  "  You  should  bring 
such  person  here,  and  when  the  piano  seems  to  rise, 
have  him  slip  his  foot  under  the  leg  and  be  convinced 
(doubtless)  by  the  weight  of  evidence  resting  upon 
his  under  standing  y 

When  the  laughter  caused  by  this  rally  had  sub- 
sided, the  President  wearily  sank  into  an  arm-chair, 
"  the  old  tired,  anxious  look  returning  to  his  face." 

This  never-to-be-forgotten  incident  occurred  on  the 
fifth  day  of  February,  1863. 

I  believe  that  Mr.  Lincoln  was  satisfied  and  con- 
vinced that  the  communications  he  received  throuo-h 
me  were  wholly  independent  of  my  volition,  and  in 
every  way  superior  to  any  manifestation  that  could 
have  been  given  by  me  as  a  jpJiysical  being.  This  he 
affirmed  in  my  presence  and  in  my  hearing  in  answer 
to  a  question  by  Mr.  Somes  as  to  what  he  thought  of 
the  source  of  what  he  had  experienced  and  heard 
from  time  to  time  iii  the  form  of  spiritualistic  manifes- 
tations. He  replied,  "  I  am  not  prepared  to  describe 
the  intelligence  that  controls  this  young  girl's  organ- 
ism.    She  certainly  could  have  no  knowledge  of  the 


92  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

facts  communicated  to  me,  nor  of  what  was  transpiring 
in  my  Cabinet  meeting  prior  to  my  joining  this  circle, 
nor  of  affairs  at  the  front  [the  army],  nor  regarding 
transpiring  events  which  are  known  to  me  only^  and 
which  I  have  not  imparted  to  any  one,  and  which  have 
not  been  made  public." 

As  he  spoke,  his  face  was  earnest  and  in  repose, 
and  he  laid  one  hand  in  the  other  impressively  (as  was 
his  custom).  He  likewise  comprehended  that  I  was 
ignorant  of  the  very  facts  surrounding  the  information 
of  which  I  was  the  agent. 

It  has  frequently  been  stated  that  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
a  spiritualist.  That  question  is  left  open  for  general 
judgment.  I  do  know  that  he  held  communication 
with  numerous  mediums,  both  at  the  White  House  and 
at  other  places,  and  among  his  mediumistic  friends 
were  Charles  Foster,  Charles  Colchester,  Mrs.  Lucy 
A.  Hamilton,  and  Charles  Kedmond,  who  warned  Mr. 
Lincoln  of  the  danger  that  faced  him  before  he  made 
that  famous  trip  between  Philadelphia  and  Washing- 
ton, on  which  occasion  he  donned  the  Scotch  cap  and 
cape  ;  and  which  warning  saved  him  from  assassina- 
tion. 

If  he  had  not  had  faith  in  Spiritualism,  he  would  not 
have  connected  himself  with  it,  and  would  not  have 
had  any  connections  with  it,  especially  in  peculiarly 
dangerous  times,  while  the  fate  of  the  Nation  was  in 
peril.     Again,  had  he  declared  an  open  belief  in  the 


WE  MAKE  HISTORY.  93 

subject,  he  would  have  been  pronounced  insane  and 
probably  incarcerated. 

A  man  does  not  usually  follow  or  obey  dictation  in 
which  he  has  no  faith,  and  which  does  not  contain  infor- 
mation of  active  present  value  to  him.  This  argument, 
together  with  his  following  of  the  Spirit  dictation 
which  passed  through  me,  goes  a  great  way  toward  a 
critical  and  correct  judgment  in  this  matter,  especially 
when  verification  is  at  hand.  It  is  also  true  that  Mrs. 
Lincoln  was  more  enthusiastic  regarding  the  subject 
than  her  husband,  and  openly  and  avowedly  professed 
herself  connected  with  the  new  religion. 

Mr.  Somes  frequently  warned  me  that  it  would  be  un- 
wise to  talk  with  newspaper  men,  or  to  answer  any  of 
the  many  inquiries  that  were  constantly  made  regard- 
ing the  subject  of  our  Presidential  stances — saying  im- 
pressively, "  Do  not  make  these  matters  public  prop- 
erty in  any  such  manner  at  the  present  time.  Reserve 
your  statements  of  experiences  until  sufficient  time  has 
elapsed  to  remove  any  condemnatory  criticism,  which 
would  naturally  be  caused  by  the  present  excitement 
of  war,  and  for  the  time  when  the  people  are  ready 
to  look  upon  past  and  present  events  with  coolness 
and  correctness,  at  which  time  a  true  and  dispas- 
sionate judgment  will  be  reached,  for  you  will  then 
receive  an  impartial  hearing,  and  at  the  same  time 
make  evident  the  truths  of  Spiritualism."  He  added, 
"  You  are  at  liberty  to  quote  me  and  to  use  my  name 


94  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

in  connection  -with  any  events  herein  stated  in  which 
I  was  a  participant."  The  value  of  his  opinion  is 
apparent,  and  I  may  add  that  I  followed  this  advice 
implicitly.  The  time  has  arrived  when  we  can  criti- 
cise freely,  judge  dispassionately,  and  reach  a  true 
conclusion  regarding  those  events  which  had  to  do 
with  the  greatest  man  of  his  time — the  chief  actor  in 
the  tragedy  of  modern  years,  which  centered  upon  us 
the  gaze  of  the  civilized  world. 


PERILOUS  TIMES.  95 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PERILOUS  TIMES. 

I  make  a  strange  error — The  President  visits  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  at  the  instigation  of  the  spirits — Mrs.  Lincoln  is 
distracted,  and  we  comfort  her — A  sitting  -while  the  battle 
of  Chancellorsville  goes  on  and  the  result  foretold — AVe 
depart  with  an  armful  of  flowers — Visit  to  the  Mount 
Pleasant  Hospital,  where  father  greets  us. 

THE  next  day  was  Sunday,  and  Mr.  Lincoln  had 
evidently  forgotten  that  fact  when  he  bade  me 
bring  him  ray  request  in  writing.  I  therefore  used  a 
part  of  the  day  to  write  out  a  plain  statement  of  the 
case.  I  considered  it  almost  a  State  document,  ad- 
dressed it  "  To  the  President  of  the  United  States  ;" 
and  thoughtlessly,  or  rather  with  great  deliberation, 
believing  it  necessary,  signed  my  full  baptismal  name 
to  the  paper.  Since  I  had  responded  to  a  name,  I 
had  been  called  "  Nettie"  by  old  and  young,  and  had 
almost  forgotten  that  my  proper  name  was  "  Hen- 
rietta." 

Sunday  morning's  issue  of  John  W.  Forney's 
"  Gazette"  bore  in  startling  headlines  :  "  The  Presi- 
dent is  about  to  visit  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.''^ 
Then  followed  a  statement  of  .what  gunboat  was  in 


96  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

preparation  to  take  him  and  his  family  to  Fortress 
Monroe  ;  and  other  matter  showing  literal  obedience 
to  the  directions  given  the  night  previous.  These 
papers,  I  learned,  were  scattered  by  the  thousand 
throughout  the  army,  as  quickly  as  they  could  be 
conveyed  there. 

On  Monday  morning,  with  my  paper  in  hand,  I 
visited  the  White  House.  Going  up  to  the  waiting- 
room,  I  sent  it  in  by  "  Edward,"  and  anxiously 
awaited  the  result.  Twenty  minutes  or  more  must 
have  passed  when  ''  Edward"  came  out,  and  said, 
"  The  President  desires  that  you  will  call  to-morrow." 
I  w^as  thunderstruck  ;  not  knowing  what  this  might 
indicate.  I  knew  that  without  the  consent  and  knowl- 
edge of  my  friend  I  had  furnished  the  full  facts  of  his 
whereabouts  and  his  acts  to  headquarters  ;  and  knew 
not  how  my  action  might  be  considered  by  him  and 
his  colonel.  Startled  and  full  of  doubt,  I  walked  to 
the  broad  stairway,  and  when  halfway  down  met  the 
major  (whose  name  I  have  forgotten,  but  who  was 
with  the  President  on  the  occasion  of  the  sitting  the 
Saturday  previous),  who  instantly  recognized  me, 
and  raised  his  cap  and  bowed  pleasantly.  I  left  the 
White  House,  going  to  the  Post- Office  Department  for 
my  mail,  then  returned  to  Georgetown  to  find  the 
major  awaiting  me.  He  came  to  me  as  I  entered  and 
said,  "  Mr.  Lincoln  sent  me  to  you  with  this  note. 
He  says  he  thinks  it  will  answer  every  purpose.     He 


PERILOUS  TIMES.  97 

told  me  to  tell  you  he  had  left  it  without  date,  as 
you  could  not  give  him  the  precise  date  of  your  friend 
leaving  the  camp,  and  being  without  date,  it  therefore 
covers  all  the  back  time.  He  would  have  given  it  to 
you  in  person,  but  he  did  not  recognize  the  name  at- 
tached to  the  foot  of  the  paper  containing  the  state- 
ment. When  I  went  into  the  room,"  he  said,  "  after 
meeting  you  on  the  stairs,  the  President  took  up 
the  paper  and  said,  in  a  perplexed  way,  '  This  lady 
states  that  I  requested  her  to  write  this  out.  I  do 
not  remember  the  name  or  the  circumstance,  and  yet 
there  is  something  familiar  about  it.'  I  stepped  up 
to  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  glancing  at  the  name,  replied, 
'  It  is  that  little  medium  we  saw  in  Georgetown.' 
'  Oh  yes,'  he  exclaimed,  '  I  fully  remember  now. 
Go  out  and  bring  her  in.'  I  hurried  out,"  added 
the  major  ;  "  but  you  having  left,  I  failed  to  find  you. 
He  then  said,  '  This  matter  must  be  attended  to  at 
once,'  and  writing  on  this  card,  as  you  see,  he  in- 
closed it  in  an  envelope  and  bade  me  bring  it  to  you." 
I  opened  it  and  read  the  following :  "  Leave  of  ab- 
sence is  granted  to  A.  L.  Gurney,  Comp.  G,  30th  N. 
Y.  Reg.,  and  he  will  report  to  his  company  Feb.  17th, 
1863" — thus  giving  him  ten  days'  additional  leave 
(the  time  was  afterwards  extended  to  the  27th,  merely 
changing  the  date).  I  have  no  doubt  this  gentleman 
treasures  to  this  day  that  souvenir  of  our  martyred 
President.  I  thanked  the  major  for  his  kindness,  and 
7 


98  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

bade  him  extend  to  Mr,  Lincoln  my  grateful  acknowl- 
edgment, impulsively  remarking,  "  How  good  of  him 
to  do  this  thing!"  To  which  the  major  replied,  "It 
is  a  common  thing  for  him  to  do  these  acts.  He  is  all 
the  time  doino;  somethinor  of  the  kind." 

The  President's  visit  to  the  "  front "  and  the  ova- 
tion tendered  him  showed  the  spontaneous  uprising 
of  a  people  to  receive  a  loved  ruler.  How  he  was 
literally  borne  on  the  shoulders  of  soldiers  through 
the  camp,  and  how  everywhere  the  "  boys  in  blue  " 
rallied  around  him,  all  grievances  being  forgotten  and 
restored,  and  his  leaving  a  united  and  devoted  army 
behind  him  when  he  returned  to  Washington, — are 
matters  of  history  too  well  known  to  bear  repeating. 

He  did  not  achieve  the  victory  of  carrying  out  to  the 
letter,  without  a  struggle,  the  directions  of  our  unseen 
friends.  Mrs.  Laurie  and  myself  visited  the  White 
House  in  the  interval  of  the  preparation  and  the  time 
of  departure  ;  and  Mrs.  Lincoln  informed  us  that  they 
were  being  besieged  by  applications  from  members  of 
both  houses,  and  Cabinet  officers  and  their  wives,  for 
permission  to  go  with  them.  And  she  remarked,  in 
her  quick  impulsive  way  :  "  But  I  tell  Mr.  Lincoln,  if 
we  are  going  to  take  the  spirits'  advice,  let  us  do  it 
fully,  and  then  there  can  be  no  responsibility  resting 
with  us  if  it  fail."  I  was  controlled  at  this  time,  and 
"They"  impressed  upon  her  the  importance  of  carry- 
ing this  out  as  strictly  as  was  consistent ;  as  it  was  all 


PERILOUS  TIMES.  99 


>> 


Important  that  the  "  man,''''  not  the  ''  Presideyit, 
should  visit  the  army.  Disunionists  had  labored  to 
fill  the  minds  of  the  soldiers  with  the  idea  that  the 
government  at  Washington  was  rioting  in  the  good 
things  of  life  and  surrounded  by  pomp  and  display, 
while  the  soldiers  were  left  to  die  in  the  swamps, 
neglected  and  forgotten ;  it  was  therefore  necessary 
''  that  they  should  see  the  man  in  all  his  simplicity," 
and  that  he  should  carry  with  him  a  personal  influence 
which  would  be  felt  throughout  the  camp.  The  wis- 
dom of  his  action  is  told  in  the  result. 

I  think  it  was  in  May  of  that  year  that  the  battle 
of  Chancellorsville  was  fought.  My  father  was  then 
with  my  eldest  brother  in  hospital  in  Washington. 
Intending  to  visit  him,  I  went  by  permission  of  ^Irs. 
Lincoln  to  the  White  House  hothouse  to  obtain  a 
bouquet  of  flowers  for  him.  Miss  Parnie  and  my- 
self applied  to  the  private  entrance,  expecting  only  to 
receive  the  flowers  and  depart;  Mrs.  Cuthbert,  Mrs. 
Lincoln's  waiting-woman,  eagerly  met  us  at  the  door. 
"  Oh,  my  dear  young  ladies,"  she  exclaimed  in  'her 
broken  French  fashion,  "  the  madam  is  deestracted. 
Come  to  her,  I  beg  of  you.  She  wants  you  very 
much."  Surprised  at  her  earnestness,  we  went  up- 
stairs and  were  ushered  into  her  bedroom.  Mrs. 
Lincoln,  in  a  loose  wrapper,  her  long  beautiful  hair 
down  her  back  and  over  her  shoulders,  was  distractedly 
walking  up  and  down  the  room.     xVs  she  saw  me  she 


100  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

came  forward  and  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  Miss  Nettie,  such 
dreadful  news ;  they  are  fighting  at  the  front ;  such 
terrible  slaughter ;  and  all  our  generals  are  killed 
and  our  army  is  in  full  retreat ;  such  is  the  latest 
news.  Oh,  I  am  glad  you  have  come.  Will  you  sit 
down  a  few  moments  and  see  if  we  can  get  anything 
from  '  beyond  V  " 

No  hint  of  the  battle  had  as  yet  reached  the  public. 
I  was  surprised.  I  threw  my  things  aside  and  we  at 
once  sat  down.  "  Pinkie"  controlled  me  instantly, 
and,  in  her  own  original  way,  assured  Mrs.  Lincoln 
that  her  alarm  was  groundless  ;  that  while  a  great 
battle  had  been  fought  and  was  still  in  progress,  our 
forces  were  fully  holding  their  own ;  and  that  none  of 
the  generals,  as  she  had  been  informed,  were  slain 
or  injured.  She  bade  her  have  no  fear  whatever ; 
that  they  would  get  better  news  by  nightfall,  and  the 
next  day  would  bring  still  more  cheering  results. 
This  calmed  her  somewhat,  a,nd  after  I  awoke  she 
talked  very  earnestly  with  me  to  know  if  I  fully 
trusted  and  believed  in  what  was  said  through  me. 
I  assured  her  of  my  confidence  in  whatever  was 
communicated,  and  it  seemed  to  give  her  courage. 
It  was  now  approaching  one  o'clock,  and  Mr.  Lincoln 
entered  the  room ;  he  was  bowed  as  if  bent  with 
trouble,  his  face  looking  anxious  and  careworn.  He 
shook  my  hand  in  a  listless  way  and  kindly  inquired 
how  I  was,  shaking  hands  with  my  friend  also.    He  sat 


PERILOUS  TIMES.  101 

down  at  a  little  stand  on  which  Mrs.  Cuthbert  had 
placed  a  cup  of  tea  and  a  plate  of  crackers.  It 
seemed  that  it  was  his  custom  at  this  hour  to  partake 
of  this  frugal  lunch.  Mrs.  Lincoln  instantly  began  to 
tell  him  what  had  been  said.  He  looked  up  with 
quick  interest.  My  friend  Parnie  said,  "  Perhaps 
Mr.  Lincoln  would  prefer  to  hear  it  direct ;  would  you 
not  like  to,  Mr.  Lincoln  ?'^  He  said,  "  If  it  would  not 
tire  your  friend  too  much,  yes."  I  hastened  to  assure 
him  that  I  felt  no  weariness  whatever,  and  again  I  was 
soon  under  control.  This  time  it  was  the  strong  clear 
utterance  of  one  we  had  learned  to  call  "  Wisdom ;" 
and  Parnie  told  me  that  Mr.  Lincoln  listened  intently 
to  every  word.  For  twenty  minutes  "  he"  talked  to 
him,  stating  clearly  the  condition  of  affairs  at  the 
front ;  assuring  him  of  what  news  he  would  receive 
by  nightfall,  and  what  the  morrow  would  bring  forth  ; 
and  that  in  no  wise  was  the  battle  disastrous ;  and 
though  not  decisive  particularly  in  character,  was 
sufficiently  so  to  be  a  gain,  not  a  loss,  to  the  Union 
cause.  He  brightened  visibly  under  the  assurances 
given  ;  and  my  friend  said  she  had  never  seen  me  more 
impressive  or  convincing  when  under  control.  Evi- 
dently "they"  felt  his  need  in  that  hour,  and  met  it. 
When  I  awoke  his  tea  stood  untasted  and  cold,  and  as 
none  seemed  to  think  of  it  that  should  have  done  so, 
my  friend  quietly  arose,  and,  taking  it  from  the  stand, 
handed  it  to  Mrs.  Cuthbert,  and  said,  "  Change  this 


102  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

for  a  hot  cup  of  tea,  and  bring  it  soon."  No  one 
seemed  to  think  she  was  stepping  out  of  her  place  in 
thus  thinking  of  the  weary  man  before  us.  It  was 
quickly  brought,  and  he  drank  it  with  a  relish,  but 
left  the  crackers  untasted.  He  shook  us  warmly  by 
the  hand,  and  with  a  pleasant  smile  passed  back  to  his 
private  apartments. 

I  need  not  say  that  our  hands  were  well  filled  with 
flowers  when  we  left  the  White  House.  However,  it 
was  then  too  late  to  go  to  the  camp.  The  next  morn- 
ing, on  our  way  to  the  hospital,  we  called  at  the  White 
House  and  received  from  Mrs.  Cuthbert  the  assurance 
that  the  news  had  been  received  as  predicted,  and  that 
"  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lincoln  were  both  feeling  much  better 
and  full  of  hope." 

Taking  the  cars  at  Fourteenth  Street,  we  made  our 
visit  to  Mount  Pleasant  Hospital.  Its  thousands  of 
clean,  white  empty  tents,  full  of  little  cot-beds,  sug- 
gested the  possibilities  of  war,  but  presented  none  of 
its  horrors.  My  brother  was  somewhat  better,  al- 
though still  in  bed  ;  and  my  father  was  glad  to  see  his 
visitors.  We  stayed  a  few  hours,  and  he  showed  us 
over  the  departments ;  taking  us  to  the  surgeons' 
headquarters,  where  all  seemed  quiet  and  peaceful. 
We  returned  to  the  city,  little  dreaming  of  the  scene 
that  would  greet  us  when  we  again  visited  the  camp. 


THE  WOUNDED  AND  DYING.  103 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  WOUNDED  AND  DYING. 

After  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville  and  Fredericksburg — We 
go  to  the  hospital  and  aid  the  wounded — Scenes  of  horror 
among  the  '^  brave  boys  in  blue" — While  riding  home 
we  see  the  President  lift  his  hat  to  a  crippled  soldier  boy — 
Lincoln  always  ready  to  serve  the  humble. 

DURING  the  seven  or  eight  days  that  followed 
we  did  not  visit  my  father,  being  busied  with 
circles  and  attending  to  our  duties  in  the  seed  depart- 
ment. 

The  battles  of  Chancellorsville  and  Fredericksburg 
had  been  fought  and  our  armies  had  gained  a  negative 
victory — that  is,  we  had  lost  no  ground,  and  the  enemy 
had  been  defeated.  One  morning,  bright  and  early, 
accompanied  by  our  friend.  Miss  Anna  Betts,  of  Al- 
bany, we  started  for  the  hospital  to  see  my  father. 
How  changed  in  the  brief  time  since  we  had  looked 
upon  the  quiet,  peaceful  canvas-covered  grounds! 
soldiers  everywhere,  rushing  in  all  directions.  Upon 
our  statement  of  "  having  friends  in  camp"  we  were 
freely  allowed  to  pass.  Threading  our  way  through 
what  seemed  hardly  familiar  lines  of  tents,  we  were 
shocked  to  find  that  nearly  every  tent  was  filled  with 


104  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

mutilated  occupants  ;  every  bed  having  its  tenant,  and 
fresh  arrivals  constantly  being  added  to  the  number. 
Reaching  the  tent  where  my  brother  had  been  an 
invalid,  which  was  one  of  many  feet  in  length,  con- 
taining many  beds,  I  met  him  at  the  doorway  pale 
and  feeble,  but  active  on  belialf  of  those  who  were 
far  more  needy  than  he.  We  stood  dumb  before  the 
scene  presented  to  our  eyes,  when  my  father  hastily 
approached  and  exclaimed,  ''  Girls,  have  you  nerve 
enough  to  help  us  ?"  We  all  responded,  "  Yes  ;  any- 
thing we  can  do.''  He  quickly  furnished  us  with  tin 
basins,  and  showing  us  where  to  fill  them  with  fresh 
water  from  large  tanks  outside,  handed  each  a  sponge 
and  told  us  to  pass  from  cot  to  cot,  and  squeeze  the 
spongeful  of  cold  water  upon  the  foot  or  hand  of  the 
occupant,  so  repeated  until  a  little  relief  was  afforded, 
then  pass  on  to  the  next.  We  eagerly  begun  our 
task.  Anna,  full  of  earnest  zeal,  started  on  her 
round,  but  the  first  sight  that  greeted  her  eyes  was 
one  of  horror — a  poor  soldier  boy  bleeding  to  death 
from  a  wound  in  the  neck.  Turning  deadly  faint,  she 
retreated  to  the  open  air.  A  few  moments  and  she 
rallied  and  bravely  returned  to  her  work.  For  the 
three  hours  we  could  remain,  we  passed  from  bed  to 
bed  and  applied  the  cold  water  as  best  we  could  to 
the  poor  boys  who  lay,  each  waiting  his  turn,  uncom- 
plaining, and,  strange  to  say,  even  cheerful  under  such 
terrible  conditions.     Pleasant  words  were  passed  from 


THE  WOUNDED  AND  DYING.  105 

bed  to  bed  between  them ;  and  when  we  would  ap- 
proach with  a  fresh  basin  of  water,  they  would  call 
out  in  a  cheery  tone,  "  Me  first ;  me  first,"  and  always 
with  a  pleasant  laugh,  if  we  took  the  first  that  came, 
without  heeding  the  call,  and  I  know  that  many  tears 
mingled  with  the  water  we  squeezed  upon  their  poor 
mangled  limbs.  The  scene  comes  back  to  me  vividly 
as  I  recall  it ;  for  it  was  our  first  real  experience  of 
the  meaning  of  that  horrible  word  "  war." 

In  a  tent  outside  surgeons  were  busy  lopping  off 
legs  and  arms ;  and  going  outside  on  one  occasion  to 
renew  my  basin  of  water  that  was  crimson  with  the 
loyal  blood  of  our  brave  boys  in  blue,  I  saw  my 
brother  being  borne  fainting  from  a  tent.  I  went  to 
him  at  once,  and  they  told  me  that  he  was  assisting 
the  surgeon  at  an  amputation  when  his  feelings  over- 
came him.  A  dose  of  brandy  quickly  brought  him 
around,  and  he  returned  to  his  post  with  a  determined 
spirit.  Every  hand  was  needed.  The  weakest  grew 
strong  in  the  face  of  that  army  of  sufferers.  At  one 
time  the  water  by  our  tent  that  was  under  our  charge 
became  exhausted,  and  my  father  hastily  told  me  to 
go  to  the  next  tent  on  the  right  and  there  find  another 
tank.  In  my  hurry  I  turned  to  the  left  instead,  and 
throwing  aside  the  flap  of  the  tent  was  horrified  to  see 
a  mass  of  legs  and  arms  that  had  of  necessity  been 
hastily  placed  there — the  fruit  of  the  surgeons'  bloody. 


106  ^VAS  LIXCOLX  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

but  necessary  •work.  Weak  and  faint  I  turned  back, 
retraced  my  steps,  and  found  the  needed  water. 

But  how  shall  I  speak  of  the  brave  boys  who  every- 
where met  our  eyes  ?  Never  one  word  of  complaint 
or  regret  at  the  fate  that  stretched  them  helpless  and 
wounded  on  those  narrow  beds.  Never  an  unseemly 
word.  Only  grateful  acknowledgments  for  the  min- 
istry we  could  give.  Their  condition  was  fearful  and 
past  belief,  for  they  had  lain  on  the  battle-field  until 
help  could  come ;  and  their  wounds  were  full  of  ver- 
min, bandaged  with  such  material  as  could  be  hastily 
furnished  in  such  an  emergency.  While  this  revolt- 
ing state  of  things  was  apparent  on  every  side,  only 
cheery  words  from  the  sufferers,  or  a  low  moan  here 
and  there  told  the  story  of  bravery  and  suffering. 
When  the  records  of  God  are  made  up  these  brave  boys 
will  not  be  forgotten.  One  beardless  youth,  mortally 
wounded,  lay  quietly  watching  the  work  as  we  passed 
from  bed  to  bed ;  although  past  all  pain,  he  was  still 
fully  conscious  of  his  condition.  We  stopped  every  time 
we  came  in  with  a  fresh  basin  of  water  to  sponge  off 
his  face  and  hands  ;  it  seemed  to  refresh  and  revive 
him ;  then  he  would  instantly  signify  that  we  were 
not  to  wait,  but  to  go  on  with  our  mission  of  mercy. 

For  three  hours  we  never  paused,  and  at  the  end  of 
that  time  desisted,  being  warned  by  the  approach  of 
nightfall  of  the  distance  from  our  home.  It  was  with 
regret  and  tears,  we  did  not  care  to  hide,  that  we  left 


THE  WOUNDED  AND  DYING,  107 

our  work  to  return  to  the  citv.  The  next  day  Parnie 
and  myself  started  early  for  the  hospital.  Anna 
could  not  accompany  us,  and  we  went  without  her. 
Our  presence  was  hailed  with  delight,  and  we  found 
that  the  wounds-  of  all  those  who  had  been  under  our 
charge  the  day  previous  had  been  attended  to,  and  the 
application  of  cold  water  was  now  the  only  thing  to  be 
done.  The  young  soldier  we  had  noted  the  day 
before  was  still  living,  but  fast  failing.  Parnie  and 
myself  stood  beside  him,  each  holding  a  cold  hand, 
and  in  a  short  time  all  was  over,  and  he  was  truly 
"  mustered  out,"  as  he  had  said  pleasantly,  the  day 
before,  when  asked  by  a  comrade  how  he  was.  My 
father  marked  his  grave,  and  we  sent  the  news  to  his 
mother  in  Ohio,  and  shortly  afterwards  his  remains 
were  forwarded  to  her. 

We  saw  several  other  emptv  beds  that  day  that  told 
their  own  silent  storv  :  and  the  mounds  orrew  in  nura- 
ber  around  the  surgeons'  headquarters,  as  one  by  one 
the  brave  boys  succumbed  to  a  conqueror  they  were 
powerless  to  resist. 

We  found  a  full  list  of  nurses  in  attendance  that 
day  and  our  services  were  hardly  needed,  although 
we  went  to  work  in  the  same  manner  as  the  day 
previous  ;  and  some  of  the  nurses,  wearied  and  tired, 
were  glad  of  the  brief  respite  we  could  give  them. 
It  was  a  satisfaction  to  us,  on  leaving  the  camp,  to 


108  ^VAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

know  that  all  were  as  comfortable  as  care  and  strict 
attendance  could  make  them,  and  the  horrors  of  the  pre- 
vious day  had  passed  from  sight.  Finding  we  could  be 
of  no  further  use,  we  did  not  visit  the  hospital  again ; 
but  it  was  many  a  day  before  the  memory  of  those  pain- 
marked  faces  and  shattered  limbs  failed  to  haunt  our 
dreams  by  night  and  challenge  our  thought  by  day. 
Soon  after  this,  while  riding  up  Pennsylvania  Avenue 
to  Georgetown*  in  a  street  car  filled  with  a  miscel- 
laneous crowd  composed  chiefly  of  officers  and  soldiers 
from  the  headquarters  in  Georgetown,  an  incident 
came  under  my  notice  that  I  deem  worthy  of  record. 
It  was  a  dull,  rainy  morning  such  as  drives  all  pedes- 
trians indoors  or  under  shelter,  and  the  avenue  above 
the  Treasury  building  was  practically  deserted.  Seated 
on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  car,  I  faced  the  Treasury 
building.  As  wx  turned  the  corner,  and  some  distance 
ahead,  I  beheld  the  tall  figure  of  President  Lincoln 
going  with  hurried  strides  toward  the  White  House. 
He  wore  an  old-fashioned  dress  coat,  the  sleeves  tight 
to  the  arm  and  the  right  elbow  torn  so  that  his  white 
shirt  sleeve  plainly  showed  through,  and  he,  seemingly 
unconscious  of  this  discrepancy  in  his  dress,  was  pur- 
suing his  way  with  his  head  down  as  if  in  a  profound 
study.  He  wore  a  beaver  hat  that  looked  as  well 
worn  as  his  coat,  and  in  his  right  hand  was  a  bundle 
of  papers  as  though  he  had  just  come  from  some  office. 


THE  WOUNDED  AND  DYING.  109 

As  he  neared  the  gate  of  the  White  House,  a  soldier 
boy  leaning  upon  crutches,  one  leg  drawn  up,  ap- 
proached, and  they  nearly  collided,  so  absorbed  was 
Mr.  Lincoln  in  his  thoughts.  Hastily  looking  up,  see- 
ing who  was  before  him,  he  instantly  removed  his  hat, 
the  soldier  boy  doing  the  same.  He  then  commenced 
talking  with  him,  and  from  his  manner  seemed  to  be 
inquiring  as  to  the  cause  of  his  lameness,  while  one 
hand  went  into  his  pocket.  As  he  drew  it  out,  and 
was  in  the  act  of  handing  the  soldier  what  was  in  his 
hand,  his  back  was  to  the  street  and  he  did  not  see  the 
loaded  car  which  was  then  opposite.  The  soldier  boys 
in  the  car,  however,  saw  him  ;  one  impulsively  jerked 
the  check-strap  and  the  car  stopped,  and  shouting  at 
the  top  of  his  lungs  "  Three  cheers  for  Father  Abra- 
ham" rent  the  air.  They  were  given  with  a  will. 
He  looked  around,  startled  at  the  outburst  so  near 
him  ;  acting  like  a  schoolboy  caught  in  some  derelic- 
tion of  duty,  thrust  what  he  had  in  the  hand  of  the 
soldier,  doffed  his  hat  again,  and  with  a  smile  hurried 
out  of  sight  into  the  grounds  of  the  White  House,  fol- 
lowed by  the  cheers  of  soldiers,  who  witnessed  in  this 
kindness  shown,  unseen  as  he  supposed,  the  man  they 
loved  in  the  President  that  ruled  them. 

I  have  seen  President  Lincoln  under  many  aspects, 
and  he  never  failed  to  evidence  the  man  of  kindly 
heart,  tender  feelings,  and  one  replete  with  thought- 


110  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIPdTUALIST? 

fulness  for  others,  and  one  willing  to  serve  the  hum- 
blest where  it  did  not  conflict  with  his  sense  of  duty.* 

*  It  Is  to  be  regretted  that  an  additional  private  secretary 
could  not  have  been  appointed,  whose  only  duty  it  v?ould  have 
been  to  look  after  and  keep  a  complete  record  of  all  cases  ap- 
pealing to  executive  clemency.  There  would  have  been  full 
employment  for  such  secretary,  and  the  volume  would  now  be 
beyond  all  price  and  value. 


CONTINUED  SERVICES.  HI 


CHAPTER  XL 

CONTINUED    SERVICES. 

The  "Thirtieth  New  York"  passes  through  Washington — The 
poem  of  reception — I  am  called  home — Colonel  Chrysler 
requests  us  to  return  to  Washington  to  do  him  a  service — 
AVe  meet  Joshua  Speed  at  Cosby' s — The  story  of  Mr. 
Cosby' s  dismissal — A  visit  to  the  President  and  unpleasant 
remembrances — "  We  are  Coming,  Father  Abraham,  Three 
Hundred  Strong" — Mr.  Lincoln  explains  the  dilemmas  of 
war — Our  point  is  gained,  and  we  call  on  Secretary  Stan- 
ton— A  politic  reply,  and  its  result — Colonel  Chrysler's 
Brigade  made  happy. 

A  BOUT  the  last  of  May  or  the  first  of  June  the 
-^-*-  two  years'  term  of  service  of  the  Thirtieth 
Regiment  of  New  York  State  Volunteers  expiring  they 
were  ordered  home.  In  this  regiment,  it  will  be  re- 
membered, was  my  acquaintance  for  whom  I  had 
obtained  Mr.  Lincoln's  grant  of  furlough.  Since  that 
gracious  act  of  kindness  the  regiment  had  been  through 
the  fire  and  smoke  of  battle,  and  I  think  it  was  at  the 
second  battle  of  Bull  Run  that  nearly  every  line 
ofiicer  was  cut  down,  and  whole  companies  so  depleted 
that  at  the  next  roll  call  there  were  scarcely  enough 
for  a  corporal's  guard.  Their  noble*  leader.  Colonel 
Frisby,  was  the  first  to  fall  in  leading  his  men  "  to 


112  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

the  charge  ;"  and  no  braver  soldier  or  truer  gentleman 
gave  his  life  for  his  country  during  that  terrible  four 
years'  struggle.  The  fragment  of  a  regiment  that  was 
returning  was  to  arrive  in  Washington  by  one  o'clock 
of  the  afternoon,  and  we  received  a  despatch  to  that 
effect  at  eleven  o'clock  from  our  friends  at  Fortress 
Monroe.  We  were  a  long  distance  from  the  boat 
landing,  and  were  making  our  preparations  to  join 
those  in  waiting,  when  Parnie  remarked  that,  as  I 
had  given  the  regiment  an  inspirational  poem  two  years 
previous  when  it  went  to  the  scene  of  action,  I  should 
now  have  one  prepared  on  its  return.  I  replied, 
"  Perhaps  the  power  that  gave  me  the  first  will  also 
give  a  second  ;"  and  in  the  short  space  of  half  an  hour 
I  wrote  and  copied  the  following  lines  of  welcome  : — 

Fling  out  our  starry  banner !   Forever  may  it  wave  I 

Rincr,  bells,  your  loudest  welcome  to  the  loyal,  true  and  brave  ! 

Strike  every  joyous  cymbal ;  let  every  sign  be  sliown 

To  tell  these  war-worn  patriots  that  they  are  welcome  home. 

When  first  alonor  the  flashinnr  wires  came  news  of  Sumter's  fall, 
Ere  hope  of  gain  made  patriots,  they  answered  duty's  call. 
And  now,  with  laurels  laden,  they  come  both  true  and  tried. 
Let  banners  wave  !  ring  loudly,  bells  !  to  tell  our  joy  and  pride  ! 

1  well  recall  to  mind  the  day,  two  weary  years  ago,  [foe. 

They  turned  away  from  friends  and  home  to  meet  our  Southern 
Then,  while  the  kiss  is  given  to-night  and  words  of  welcome  said, 
We'll  not  forget  the  tribute  due  the  brave  and  honored  dead, 

Whose  bodies  sleep  in  far-off  graves  beneath  the  trodden  sod, 
Whose  spirits  glorified  were  led  by  angels  up  to  God. 
And  yet,  O  bells  !   one  moment  stay,  and  toll  for  him  who  died 
While  leading  this  devoted  band  against  vile  treason's  tide. 


CONTINUED  SERVICES.  113 

He  laid  his  crown  of  victory  down,  the  hour  in  which  'twas  won, 
While  angels  bore  it  twined  with  stars,  beyond  the  setting  sun. 
And  while  his  blood  with  thousands  at  the  bar  of  justice  pleads, 
Shall  fame  and  history  gather  up  his  name  and  noble  deeds. 

And,  should  we  need  a  beacon  light  to  lead  us  on  to  fame, 
We'll  look  aloft  where  glory  crowns  our  Frisby's  honored  name. 
Now,  ring  again,  O  joyful  bells  !  Our  nation's  banner  wave  ' 
Unite  in  giving  welcome  to  the  loyal,  true,  and  brave. 

Then  pay  this  tribute  to  the  dead — the  noblest  ever  given  : 
They  slept  in  soldiers'  honored  graves — their  rich  reward  ia 
And  say  to  those  returning :  A  Nation  bids  them  come  [Heaven. 
And  share  its  hallowed  blessing  and  earnest  welcome  home. 

[This  poem  was  published  in  the  "Troy  Whig."] 

We  reached  the  dock  as  the  boat  neared  her  moor- 
ings. The  pleasant  anticipation  of  meeting  our  friends 
was  saddened  by  the  silent  procession  that  first  passed 
— for  the  regiment  was  accompanied  by  a  long  array  of 
sleepers  who  would  never  again  awaken  at  the  sound  of 
the  reveille.  We  had  only  time  for  a  handshake,  and  I 
passed  the  hastily  written  poem  into  the  hands  of  my 
friends.  Another  moment,  and  they  were  gone. 
Shortly  after  their  arrival  at  Albany,  I  received  a 
paper  published  in  New  York,  containing  this  poem, 
which  the  editor  had  considered  worthy  of  publication  ; 
though  I  do  not  know  what  course  he  would  have 
pursued  had  he  known  its  spiritual  origin. 

Our  friends  were  no  sooner  mustered  out  from  their 

two    years'    service    than    they   re-enlisted.     Major 

Morgan  H.  Chrysler  quickly  recruited  the  discharged 
8 


114  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

soldiers,  seeking  to  raise  a  mounted  brigade  of 
veterans  to  return  at  once  to  the  field. 

About  this  time,  on  account  of  illness  in  our  family, 
I  was  called  home  to  Hartford,  and  at  this  period  the 
time  of  my  father  and  elder  brother  expired.  We 
were,  therefore,  once  more  a  united  household,  with 
one  exception.  The  missing  member  was  my  father's 
brother  Lyman,  who  had  always  been  a  member  of 
our  household,  who  was  in  the  same  regiment  with  my 
younger  brother,  and  of  whom  we  had  not  heard  for  a 
long  time.  He  was  enlisted  for  three  years,  and  his 
regiment,  at  the  time  of  his  last  letter,  was  located 
somewhere  near  Norfolk,  Va.  July  passed,  and  with 
it  the  memorable  battle  of  Gettysburg.  The  overflow 
of  the  hospitals  near  Washington  was  sent  North. 
Everywhere  there  was  work  for  willing  hands  and 
loyal  hearts ;  and  though  our  victories  cheered  the 
heart  of  the  nation,  and  gave  courage  to  those  at  home 
as  well  as  to  those  in  the  field,  the  fearful  price  had 
sanctified  our  country's  altar  and  made  us  one.  We 
felt  that  the  work  in  which  we  were  engaged,  whether 
it  were  preparing  the  lint  and  bandages  for  the  ex- 
pected victim  or  drawing  the  sword  on  the  field  of 
carnage,  was  entirely  holy. 

In  the  early  fall  of  1863  my  friend  and  myself  re- 
ceived a  request  from  Colonel  Chrysler,  at  Saratoga, 
that  we  should  go  to  Washington  and  see  the  Presi- 
dent on  behalf  of  him  and  his  veterans,  of  whom  he 


GENERAL  MORGAN  H.   CHRVSI,ER. 
From  photograph  from  life,  presented  bj-  him  to  Mrs.  N.  C.  Majnard. 


CONTINUED  SERVICES.  115 

had  raised  three  hundred.  About  this  time  there  was 
strong  call  for  reinforcements,  and  as  fast  as  troops 
were  enlisted  they  were  forwarded  to  AVashington  and 
sent  "  to  the  Camp  of  Distribution,"  so  called,  and 
scattered  through  the  different  army  corps  to  fill  up 
depleted  companies.  Colonel  Chrysler's  fear  was  that 
this  fate  would  await  his  command  ;  and  his  ambition 
was  to  raise  his  brigade  and  so  obtain  the  command 
thereof.  He  had  confidence  in  my  power  to  reach  the 
President,  and  he  had  also  confidence  in  the  unseen 
powers  that  controlled  me,  and  he  earnestly  requested 
that  I  should  make  the  effort  in  his  behalf,  offering  to 
defray  all  expenses,  which  he  did.  We  went  at  once, 
going  directly  to  our  friend  Mrs.  Cosby,  on  Capitol 
Hill,  who  received  us  with  joy  and  surprise,  as  she 
had  not  expected  us  until  later.  I  told  her  the  pur- 
pose of  our  coming  and  requested  her  to  accompany 
me  to  see  Mr.  Lincoln.  As  we  could  not  go  at  once,  - 
we  decided  upon  making  the  venture  the  following  day. 
Morning  came  and  brought  with  it  an  important  visitor, 
who  called  on  our  friend.  This  person  was  Mr.  Joshua 
Speed.*     We  were    introduced   to    him ;    and   Anna, 

*  Mr.  Speed  at  this  time  was  in  Washington  regarding  his 
appointment  as  Attorney-General.  The  following  information 
is  apropos  :  The  position  in  the  Cabinet  vacated  by  the  resig- 
nation of  Attorney-General  Bates  has  been  very  judiciously 
filled  by  the  appointment  of  Hon.  J.  J.  Speed,  of  Kentucky. 
.    .      .     .     Mr.  Speed  is  a  gentleman  of  high  order  of  legal 


116  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

in  her  gentle,  but  forcible  way,  informed  him  of  my 
peculiar  gift,  and  of  that  of  my  friend.  While  we 
were  talking  Parnie  was  controlled  by  what  proved  to 
be  the  spirit  of  an  old  colored  man — a  former  slave 
who  was  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Speed,  and  who  identi- 
fied himself  with  his  old  master  by  expressing  his 
thanks  that  he  was  granted  his  request  "  to  be  buried 
under  the  tree  where  in  his  old  age  he  used  to  sit,  and 
where  [if  memory  serves  correctly]  he  had  died." 
Mr.  Speed  acknowledged  that  this  was  very  strange 
and  singular,  and  afterward  questioned  us  both  clearly 
and  closely  in  regard  to  our  peculiar  gifts.  The  fore- 
noon passed  quickly  ;  and  as  Mr.  Speed  was  about  to 
leave  us,  Mrs.  Cosby  told  him  of  our  desire  to  visit 
the  President.  She  asked  him  for  a  letter  of  introduc- 
tion. Smiling,  he  said,  "  Surely,  you  need  no  letter 
of  introduction  to  him."  She  answered,  "  It  has  been 
some  time  since  I    have  seen  him,  and  I  would  be 

talent,  and  throughout  the  war  has  shown  himself  a  sterling 

patriot We  hope  that  Mr.  Speed's  influence  in 

Kentucky  will  be  sufficiently  potent  to  counteract  the  machina- 
tions of  the  Copperheads  in  that  section He  is  a 

man  of  thoroughly  disciplined  mind,  and  will  make  an  efficient 

Attorney-General,  we  feel  well  assured Although 

once  a  Whig,  he-is  now  a  Republican.  This  appointment  indi- 
cates a  determination  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Lincoln  to  persevere  in 
his  war  policy  ....  and  not  be  satisfied  short  of  com- 
plete success — Morton  McMichaelj  in  the  North 

American^  December  3,  1864. 


CONTINUED  SERVICES.  117 

pleased  to  have  a  letter  from  you."  He  sat  down  at 
her  desk,  and  quickly  indited  a  genial  note  of  intro- 
duction, including  my  name  also  in  the  letter.  I  will 
here  state  that  a  few  months  previously  Mr.  Cosby 
had  been  superseded  in  his  consulship,  owing  to  the 
fact  that  he  had  been  reported  to  our  government  "  as 
giving  entertainments  to  the  representatives  of  the 
Southern  Confederacy,  at  the  port  where  he  was 
stationed."  I  think  it  was  this  fact  that  led  Mrs. 
Cosby  to  desire  a  letter  of  introduction  to  Mr.  Lin- 
coln, fearing  that  he  might  believe  that  she  also  held 
disloyal  sentiments.  The  day  was  too  far  spent  when 
Mr.  Speed  took  his  departure  for  us  to  think  of  visit- 
ing the  White  House.  At  ten  o'clock  next  morning 
we  stood  at  the  portals  of  the  White  House,  where  the 
genial  "  Edward"  received  our  cards  and  letter,  and 
were  led  soon  after  into  the  presence  of  Mr.  Lincoln. 
Mr.  Lincoln  was  alone.  He  greeted  Mrs.  Cosby 
with  a  most  serious  but  kindly  deference  in  his 
manner,  and  he  gave  me  his  usual  kindly  greeting  of 
"  How  do  you  do,  Miss  Nettie  ? — glad  to  see  you  back 
among  us."  There  was  an  awkward  silence  for  a 
moment.  He  asked  us  to  be  seated.  Then,  turning 
to  Mrs.  Cosby,  he  remarked,  "  We  have  not  met  Mrs. 
Cosby  since  it  was  my  unpleasant  duty  to  banish 
your  husband  from  the  country."  She  replied,  "No 
Mr.  Lincoln  ;  and  I  trust,  when  the  full  truth  is  known, 
Mr,  Cosby  will  prove  less  culpable   than  the  report 


118  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST1 

caused  him  to  appear."  A  slight  pause,  and  then  he 
remarked :  "  In  public  life  we  are  compelled  to  forego 
all  claims  save  those  of  duty,  and  in  a  critical  time 
like  the  present,  when  the  nation's  life  is  in  our  hands, 
we  must  often  seem  to  our  friends  unduly  stern  and 
relentless."  "  Say  no  more,"  remarked  Mrs.  Cosby 
in  her  gentle  way  ;  "•  I  fully  recognize  your  position,  Mr. 
Lincoln,  and  am  too  loyal  a  woman  to  the  interests  of 
the  Union  to  question  anything  which  you  may  deem 
proper  to  do.  I  regret  that  Mr.  Cosby  was  not  so  wise 
as  Simon  Cameron,  who,  when  in  the  streets  of  London, 
saw  approaching  him  an  old  schoolmate,  and  who, 
when  about  to  extend  the  hand  of  welcome,  suddenly 
dropped  it  and  coldly  bowed  to  him.  Cameron  passed 
on,  remembering  that  the  person  before  him,  although 
a  friend,  represented  those  who  had  been  traitors  to 
his  country.  If  Mr.  Cosby  had  acted  with  the  spirit 
of  Simon  Cameron,  he  would  not  bear  the  disgrace 
which  must  attach  itself  to  his  name  while  he  lives." 

I  shall  not  forget  the  grace  and  dignity  of  manner 
that  governed  my  friend  as  she  uttered  these  words, 
which  indelibly  impressed  themselves  upon  my  mem- 
ory, and  seemed  equally  to  impress  Mr.  Lincoln,  for 
he  remarked,  "  I  thank  you  for  your  loyalty,"  and 
''  I  fear  that  the  same  does  not  exist  with  all  our  lady 
residents  in  Washington." 

During  this  time,  he  had  held  Mr.  Speed's  letter  in 
his  hand,  and  now  turning  to  it  said,  "  I  see  you  are 


CONTINUED  SERVICES.  119 

acquainted  with  my  friend  Speed."  "Yes,"  she  re- 
plied; "  he  gave  me  a  pleasant  call  yesterday."  "He 
is  a  good  fellow,"  remarked  Mr.  Lincoln;  and,  after 
some  few  words  concerning  their  early  associations, 
looked  up  with  his  genial  smile,  and  said,  "  I  was  with 
him  the  night  he  settled  it  about  his  marriage  with  the 
widow.  I  was  walking  along  the  road  when  he  over- 
took me  with  his  wagon  and  asked  me  to  get  in.  We 
rode  together  until  we  reached  her  house,  and  there 
stopped  for  the  night.  I  could  see  that  '  Josh  '  had 
something  on  his  mind,  but  I  did  not  know  what  that 
something  was  until  I  was  left  to  go  to  bed  alone. 
Toward  morning  Joshua  came  to  bed,  and,  awakening 
me,  informed  me  of  the  important  fact  that  it  was  set- 
tled between  him  and  the  widow." 

I  now  see  the  President  as  he  then  looked,  seated 
in  a  big  arm-chair,  one  leg  thrown  over  the  arm,  his 
hands  clasped  behind  his  head,  talking  to  us  in  this 
pleasant,  familiar  strain ;  and,  as  Mrs.  Cosby  after- 
wards said,  "  We  felt  that  he  was,  under  the  circum- 
stances, endeavoring  to  cover  the  embarrassment  of  our 
meeting,  bearing  in  mind  the  removal  of  Mr.  Cosby 
from  office."  As  he  concluded,  Mrs.  Cosby  turned  to 
me,  and  said,  "Miss  Nettie  is  a  petitioner  to-day." 
He  looked  at  me  in  all  kindness  and  asked  how  he 
could  serve  me.  In  as  few  words  as  possible  I  re- 
lated the  dilemma  of  my  acquaintance,  and  his  request 
that  I  should  lay  the  matter  before  the  President,  feel- 


120  ^'--^S  LIXCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

ing  that  if  he  fully  understood  the  determination  and 
purpose  he  would  not  permit  the  troops  to  be  scattered. 
"  By  the  way,"  he  remarked,  "  I  think  I  have  re- 
ceived a  telegram  from  your  friend,"  and  stepping  to 
his  table  in  the  centre  of  the  room  he  picked  up  a  dis- 
patch and  read  aloud :  "  We  are  coming,  Father  Abra- 
ham, three  hundred  veterans  strong — M.  H.  Chrysler, 
commanding."  The  President  quietl}"  chuckled  as  he 
read  it,  and,  turning  to  me,  said,  "  I  really  have  no 
power  in  the  matter ;  but  think  I  can  somewhat  influ- 
ence the  decision  of  the  commanding  officers.  To  tell 
the  truth,  it  is  unwise  for  me  to  interfere  in  any  of  the 
regulations  connected  with  the  army.  You  have  no 
idea  what  a  time  I  had  when  this  war  first  broke  out. 
When  I  issued  mv  call  for  the  first  75,000  men  I  was 
as  ignorant  as  a  child  regarding  the  best  course  to 
pursue.  Regiments  were  poured  into  Washington,  and 
were  lying  about  without  shelter  and  without  sufficient 
provisions.  The  troops  were  clamoring  at  the  doors 
here  for  orders,  and  I  was  harassed  and  perplexed, 
not  knowing  what  to  do.  At  last  Gov.  Morgan,  of  New 
York,  wrote  me  that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  fill 
the  quota  of  his  State  until  I  called  my  recruiting 
officers  from  the  field.  I  thought  his  letter  imperti- 
nent, and  took  no  notice  of  it.  He,  with  others,  then 
visited  me,  and  explained  the  situation.  Two  recruit- 
ing parties  were  in  the  field — one  in  ray  name,  con- 
testing for  the  enlisting  soldier ;  and  one  under  the 


CONTINUED  SERVICES.  121 

officers  of  the  State,  trying  to  obtain  regiments  to  fill 
the  demand — I,  meanwhile,  having  made  peremptory 
demand  on  the  Governors  of  the  States  to  forward 
their  proportion.  My  mistake  was  apparent,  for  I  had 
granted  the  right  to  raise  troops  to  every  man  tcho  had 
applied^  and,  therefore,  had  unwittingly  checked  or 
balked  my  own  purpose.  Of  course  I  then  cancelled 
all  orders,  and  left  the  affairs  where  thev  should  be — 
in  the  hands  of  the  Governors  of  the  respective  States. 
As  a  result,  order  was  soon  restored.  So,  you  see,  my 
young  friend,  the  difficulty  in  this  case.  But  I  will 
tell  you  what  I  will  do.  I  will  give  you  a  line  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  and  request  him  to  send  these  men 
to  the  Camp  of  Instruction  until  the  brigade  is  com- 
pleted— if  he  finds  it  possible  to  do  so."  He  wrote  a 
line  to  this  effect,  signing  and  handing  it  to  me,  and, 
after  a  few  more  words  of  kindness  and  explanation, 
shook  us  cordially  by  the  hand  and  bade  us  good-day. 
Here,  again,  was  the  kindly  and  genial  spirit  of 
President  Lincoln  clearly  shown,  in  tiiat  he  should 
take  the  pains  to  explain  to  me  his  inability  to  comply 
with  my  request,  confessing  at  the  same  time  his  defi- 
ciency in  knowledge  when  war  first  made  its  demands 
upon  him  ;  going  into  an  account  of  matters  he  need 
not  have  named,  when  without  a  word  he  might  have 
dismissed  us,  as  most  likely  any  other  official  in  Wash- 
ington would  have  done.  But  it  was  ever  the  charac- 
teristic of  this   man,  so  great  in  goodness,  that  he 


122  WAS  LLSCOLX  A  SPLRITUAUSTf 

aToided  wounding  the  feelings  of  the  humblest,  and 
ever  sought  to  work  in  perfecc  harmonj  with  all  of  his 
people. 

Being  too  late  to  see  the  Secretary  of  War  that 
afternoon,  we  returned  home.  The  next  morning  mj 
friend  was  ill  with  a  sick-headache,  and  Pamie  and 
mvself  went  to  the  War  Department  and  asked  to  see 
Secretary  Stanton. 

at 

We  held  the  paper  Mr.  Lincoln  had  given  us,  on 
which  was  written  '•  The  Secretary  will  receive  Miss 
Colbum  and  hear  her  statement. — A.  Lincoln." 

This  paper  procured  us  instant  admission  to  the 
presence  of  the  Secretary,  who  received  us  with  a 
Terj  stem  unbending  countenance,  that  boded  ill  for 
the  request.  In  trembling  tones  I  stated  the  case, 
and  remarked  that  the  riorid  orders  surrountiin^  mv 
Sfddier  friends  prevented  their  getting  leave  of  absence 
to  prefer  this  request  in  person.  Glancing  at  the  paper 
which  he  held  in  his  hand  containing  Mr.  Lincoln's 
name,  he  said,  "  Why  did  you  come  to  me  ?  Mr. 
Lificola  has  full  power  in  this  matter.  Why  didn^t 
he  attend  to  it  ?"  As  was  often  the  case  in  an  emer- 
gency, I  felt  the  hand  of  an  unseen  guide  on  my 
shoulder,  warning  me  to  be  careful  of  my  reply ;  and 
I  heard  the  words  issue  from  my  lips  without  any 
volition  of  my  own :  "I  supposed,  as  Secretary  of 
War,  you  were  the  proper  person  to  apply  to  in  this 
case.     I  knew  how  hard  it  was  to  get  to  your  pres- 


COSTiyCED  SERVICES.  123 

ence,  and  I  asked  Mr.  Lincoln  for  this  paper."  His 
coQDtenance  changed  instandv,  and  in  the  kindest  tones 
imaginable  bade  us  be  seated,  took  down  the  name  of 
Col.  Chrvsler,  the  number  of  men  under  his  command, 
and  all  the  circumstances  attending  the  subject,  sav- 
ing kindly,  '•  I  will  see  that  this  is  attended  to  at 
once,"  and  politely  bowed  us  out. 

Some  time  afterwards,  in  relating  this  circumstance 
to  a  friend  in  Washington,  I  was  informed  that  the 
good  Secretary  was  a  little  jealous  of  his  prerogatives, 
and  looked  with  unfriendly  eyes  upon  any  interference 
from  the  White  House.  Be  this  as  it  may,  I  know 
that  my  politic  answer  to  his  irate  question. /or  wkieh 
J  was  not  responmNe,  seemed  to  change  the  face  of 
maners  and  favorably  shape  results  for  our  friends  of 
^e  camp,  who,  when  visiting  us  a  few  days  later,  in- 
formed us  in  high  glee  that  they  were  ordere<i  to 
remain  at  the  Camp  of  Instruction  until  their  brigade 
was  fully  completed,  and  also  given  full  power  to  en- 
list veterans  for  that  purpose. 


124  TF.45  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MAKING   PROGRESS. 

A  erazy  lecturer — Mr.  Somes  inaugurates  the  first  Washington 
lecture — Spiritualism  a  comforting  belief. 

DURING  the  early  part  of  the  winter  of  1863  and 
186-4,  a  woman  by  the  name  of  Smith  came  to 
"Washington  to  lecture  upon  the  subject  of  Spiritualism. 
She  obtained  a  hall  which  was  quickly  filled  with  a 
crowd  of  eager  listeners,  to  whom  it  soon  became  ap- 
parent that  she  was  half  deranged.  Her  wild  manner 
and  disjointed  sentences  so  decreased  the  size  of  her 
audience,  that  she  found  remaining  none  but  a  hoot- 
ing mass  of  boys  and  a  number  of  empty  benches. 
The  proprietor  closed  the  hall  ;  and  she  then  took  to 
the  streets,  speaking  from  the  Capitol  grounds  to  a 
noisy,  disorderly  crowd,  until  finally  compelled  to 
desist  by  the  interference  of  the  police.  The  S[>irit- 
ualists  of  Washington  were  greatly  mortified  at  having 
their  religious  belief  thus  caricatured  ;  and  a  gentle- 
man called  on  Mr.  Somes,  at  whose  house  I  was  then 
stopping,  and  making  known  his  errand  asked  to  see 
and  talk  with  me.  Mr.  Somes  introduced  me,  saying, 
that  he  represented  a  number  of  Spiritualists  who  had 


Photographed  from  steel  engraving,  loaned  by  George  A.  Bacon,  Esq- 


MAKIXG  PROGRESS.  125 

been  exceedingly  mortified  at  the  notoriety  given  to 
their  religious  belief  by  this  crazy  woman,  and  that 
they  desired  to  get  up  a  public  lecture  and  have  me 
speak  for  them.  I  asked  Mr.  Somes's  advice,  and  he 
said,  "  If  you  will  leave  it  in  my  hands,  I  will  have 
the  affair  conducted  as  it  should  be,  or  not  at  all." 
I  readily  consented,  and  turning  to  the  gentleman,  he 
said,  "  You  are  to  get  a  good  hall  that  shall  be  warm 
and  well  lighted,  and  get  the  Rev.  John  Pierpont  to 
preside.  I  will  then  see  that  Miss  Colburn  is  there  in 
time."  The  conditions  were  all  complied  with.  On 
the  platform  with  us  was  also  our  able  writer  and 
speaker,  A.  E.  Xewton,  known  far  and  wide  as  one 
of  the  ablest  of  the  exponents  of  Spiritual  Philosophy. 
The  interest  the  subject  had  awakened  in  the  public 
mind  was  apparent  from  the  crowded  audience  that 
had  assembled  to  meet  us.  The  exercises  began  with 
a  few  well-chosen  words  from  Mr.  A.  E.  Newton,  in- 
troducing the  Rev.  John  Pierpont  as  chairman  of  the 
meeting.  Mr.  Pierpont  then  made  a  brief  speech,  be- 
ginning his  remarks  by  saying,  "  I  will  tell  you  briefly 
why  I  am  a  Spiritualist."  His  remarks  were  earnest, 
full  of  the  recital  of  pointed  facts,  and  could  not  fail 
to  impress  the  hearer  with  the  truthfulness  of  the 
speaker.  He  was  at  this  time  over  eighty  years  of 
age,  as  straight  as  an  arrow,  his  hair  snowy  white,  his 
eyes  keen  and  piercing.  lie  stood  before  them  with  tall, 
unbowed  form,  his  clear  voice  ringing  out  the  truths 


126  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

he  uttered.  He  seemed  like  one  of  the  prophets  of 
old  again  enunciating  the  law.  At  the  conclusion  of 
his  remarks,  I  was  entranced,  and,'  after  the  invocation, 
delivered  the  address  of  the  evening,  at  the  conclusion 
of  which  Mr.  Pierpont  pronounced  the  benediction. 
We  were  heard  with  every  mark  of  respect  and  at- 
tention, and  more  than  one  person  remarked,  "  If  this 
is  Spiritualism,  it  is  the  most  comforting  and  rational 
religious  belief  I  ever  heard.  I  would  like  to  know 
more  of  it^^  This  was  really  the  first  public  lecture 
ever  given  in  Washington.  In  less  than  two  years  a 
society  was  formed  and   lectures  were   held  almost 

*  The  first  twenty-five  years  of  Spiritualism  in  this  country 
completed  a  special  cycle  or  period  in  the  movement.  During 
that  time  the  work  of  Spiritualism  was  to  conduct  a  stern  and 
unyielding  warfare  against  the  world  without,  yet  withal  to 
rather  bear  with  its  oppressors  than  to  attempt  their  overpower- 
ing ;  to  uproot  old  and  stereotyped  errors,  change  ancient  ideas, 
and  do  battle  with  school-craft,  ignorance  and  bigotry.  At  the 
close  of  this  period,  and  during  the  twenty  years  ensuing,  there 
were  manv  changes  of  a  discouraging  character  which  over- 
shadowed  believers  ;  many  proceeding  from  within  as  well  as 
without  the  ranks  of  the  New  Belief.  Many  of  the  bitterest 
foes  of  Spiritualism  were  those  of  its  own  household,  and  its 
cruellest  stabs  were  dealt  by  the  hands  of  many  of  its  professed 
followers.  The  succeeding  years  made  permanent  the  principles 
of  this  great  science,  and  the  new  religion  with  its  beautiful 
teachings  was  wrested  from  the  hand  of  the  spoiler^  and  its 
future  life  fully  grounded  upon  the  rock  of  unchangeable  Truth. 


MAKING  PROGRESS.  127 

every  Sunday  during  the  winters  that  followed  up  to 
the  present  day,  at  which  time  there  is  a  large  and 
flourishing  society^  including  in  its  organization  some 
of  the  finest  families  of  the  city. 


128  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

SPIRITUAL  ADVICE. 

We  pay  a  visit  to  the  White  House — General  Siekels  attends 
the  stance — The  terrible  condition  of  the  freedmen  around 
AVashinfTton — Establishinfr  the  "  Freedmen' s  Bureau"  sug- 

CO  CD 

gested  by  the  spirits—  Recalling  the  pleasant  scene. 

A  FEW  days  later  found  us  the  guests  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Somes.  Mrs.  Somes  seldom  went  into 
society,  owing  to  the  loss  of  her  eldest  son  and  her 
preference  for  home  life.  She  was  a  lady  of  remark- 
able ability,  refined  and  gentle  manners,  a  devoted 
wife  and  mother,  and  a  sincere  Christian.  My  friend, 
Miss  Hannum,  and  I  soon  called  at  the  White  House, 
to  pay  our  respects  to  the  President  and  his  wife,  and 
were  received  with  the  greatest  cordiality.  We  re- 
mained but  a  short  time,  but  were  both  particularly 
struck  by  Mr.  Lincoln's  careworn  appearance.  His 
old  genial  smile  was  the  same,  as  he  expressed  the 
hope  that  he  had  come  to  spend  the  winter.  A  few 
days  later  Mrs.  Somes  received  a  note  cordially  invit- 
ing herself  and  husband  to  spend  an  evening  at  the 
White  House,  and  requesting  her  to  bring  the  young 
ladies,  meaning  Miss  Hannum  and  myself.  At  first 
Mrs.  S.  was  inclined  to  refuse,  but  yielding  to  her 


SPIRITUAL  ADVICE.  129 

husband's  solicitations,  and  our  wishes,  she  consented. 
In  her  note  Mrs.  Lincoln  said  she  desired  her  to  meet 
a  friend,  and  wished  to  see  if  she  (Miss  Pinkie) 
would  be  able  to  tell  who  it  was. 

We  reached  the  Executive  Mansion  at  half-past 
eight,  and  were  ushered  into  the  red  parlor,  where  the 
madam  received  us  with  great  kindness,  and  presented 
us  in  turn  to  a  distinguished,  soldierly-looking  gentle- 
man, who  was  wrapped  in  a  long  military  cloak,  com- 
pletely concealing  his  person  and  every  evidence  of 
rank.  She  did  not  call  him  by  name,  apologizing  for 
not  doing  so,  and  saying  she  desired  first  to  see  if  our 
friends  could  tell  who  he  was,  adding  that  she  would 
duly  present  him  afterwards.  I  saw  that  Mr.  Somes 
recognized  him  instantly,  but  he  gave  no  hint  of  his 
identity.  My  friend  and  myself  removed  our  wraps, 
but  Mrs.  Somes  declined,  simply  loosening  hers.  A 
pleasant  half  hour  followed,  when  Mr.  Lincoln  joined 
us.  After  a  cordial  greeting  all  around,  he  wearily 
seated  himself  in  an  arm-chair  and  remarked,  "  I  am 
very  busy  and  must  forego  the  pleasure  of  conversa- 
tion and  ask  our  little  friend  here  to  see  what  can  be 
given  us  to-night  as  briefly  as  may  be,  for  my  Cabinet 
is  awaiting  my  return."  Silence  fell  upon  the  group, 
and  I  was  shortly  entranced.  What  here  follows  was 
related  to  me  on  our  return  home  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Somes  and  my  friend.     A  strong,  powerful  presence 

seemed  to  have  possession  of  me,  directing  first  its 
9 


130  ^VAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIIUTUALISTf 

entire  attention  to  Mr.  Lincoln.  The  substance  of  the 
remarks  related  to  the  condition  of  the  Freedmen  in 
and  around  Washington,  declaring  their  condition  de- 
plorable in  the  extreme,  that  they  were  herding  to- 
gether like  cattle  in  the  open  air,  with  little  or  no 
shelter,  half  fed  and  half  clothed,  while  the  manner 
of  their  existence  was  a  reproach  to  the  country, 
throwing  down,  as  it  did,  all  safeguards  to  morality 
and  decency.  A  terrible  picture  was  presented  con- 
cerning the  thousands  thus  rendered  homeless  and  de- 
pendent upon  the  government,  through  the  exigencies 
of  war  and  the  Proclamation  of  Freedom.  While 
the  spirits  realized  fully  the  many  heavy  cares  resting 
upon  the  President,  there  was  a  duty  to  perform  that 
could  not  be  neglected — a  duty  that  demanded  im- 
mediate attention.  They  counselled  him  in  the  strong- 
est terms  to  prove  the  truth  of  their  statements,  ex- 
travagant as  they  seemed,  by  appointing  a  special 
committee,  whose  dutv  it  should  be  to  investigate  the 
condition  of  these  people,  and  to  receive  their  report 
in  person,  and  on  no  account  to  receive  it  at  second 
hand.  They  further  advised  that  for  this  committee 
he  should  select  men  who  were  not  burdened  with 
other  cares,  that  their  minds  might  be  given  entirely 
to  their  work,  for,  if  they  did  their  duty  well,  he  would 
see  the  necessity  at  once  of  organizing  a  separate 
bureau  to  control  and  regulate  all  the  affairs  connected 
with  the  freedmen. 


SPIRITUAL  ADVICE.  131 

While  I  cannot,  at  this  late  day,  give  a  more  minute 
account  of  the  instructions  thus  given,  I  have  pre- 
sented the  main  points.  The  powers  controlling  me 
then  directed  their  attention  to  the  gentleman  in  the 
military  cloak.  They  at  once  addressed  him  as  '•  Gen- 
eral," saying  that  his  cloak  did  not  disguise  from  their 
eyes  the  evidence  of  the  noble  sacrifice  he  had  laid  on 
his  country's  altar,  nor  the  glittering  stars  he  so  mer- 
ited, for  he  had  royally  won  them  by  his  patriotic  de- 
votion to  his  country.  They  extended  my  hand  to 
him,  which  he  accepted,  rising  and  bowing  with  the 
same  courtesy  and  dignity  that  characterized  him  to- 
ward all ;  and  whatever  may  have  been  his  private 
opinions  concerning  mediumship  and  spiritualism,  his 
manner  was  that  of  a  courteous  and  true  gentleman. 
A  few  words  of  greeting  were  then  spoken  to  all — a 
final  word  of  encouragement  and  strength  spoken  to 
the  President — when  the  influence  changed,  and 
"  Pinkie,"  the  little  Indian  maiden,  took  possession  of 
my  organism,  and  after  greeting  the  President  and  Mrs. 
Lincoln  in  her  usual  manner,  turned  at  once  to  the 
stranger,  addressing  him  as  "  Crooked  Knife,"  her 
Indian  name  for  him,  thus  giving  to  Mrs.  Lincoln  the 
test  she  required,  as  it  was  thus  ascertained  that 
"Pinkie"  recognized  him  as  the  General  of  whom 
she  had  often  spoken  in  former  circles  when  relating 
events  that  were  taking  place  on  distant  battle-fields. 
While  she  was  talking  in  her  childish  way,  Mr.  Lin- 


132  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST! 

coin  excused  himself,  returning  to  his  cabinet  meeting. 
When  I  awoke  a  half  hour  later,  I  found  myself 
standing  in  front  of  the  gentleman  whom  I  had  met 
that  evening  for  the  first  time,  and  saw  that  his  clear, 
piercing  eyes  were  fixed  fully  upon  me.  Mrs.  Lincoln 
now  hastened  to  cover  my  embarrassment  by  duly  pre- 
senting us  to  all.  This  officer  was  Major-General 
Sickels  (now  Sherifi"  of  New  York  City),  who  laid 
aside  his  cloak,  revealing  his  whole  uniform  and  a 
crutch,  which  until  that  moment  had  been  concealed. 
This  was  the  first  and  only  time  my  friend  and  myself 
ever  met  this  famous  general,  although,  as  I  have 
stated,  he  and  other  generals  were  often  mentioned 
in  communications  that  were  made  by  me  to  i\\Q 
President  and  his  wife,  while  giving  them  tidings  of 
the  true  state  of  affairs  at  the  front,  which  communi- 
cations were  afterwards  fully  confirmed  when  reliable 
particulars  were  received.  Of  this  I  was  assured  on 
more  than  one  occasion  bv  Mrs.  Lincoln. 

It  was  after  eleven  o'clock  when  our  carriage  was  an- 
nounced, and  as  we  departed  the  General  stood  by  the 
side  of  Mrs.  Lincoln,  shaking  hands  with  us  in  turn  as  we 
passed  from  their  presence.  I  vividly  recall  the  scene ; 
the  bright  fire  in  the  open  grate,  sending  a  genial 
warmth  through  the  room  ;  a  large  pyramid  of  flowers 
and  palms  in  the  centre  of  the  apartment,  giving  a  look 
of  richness  to  the  scene  ;  while  a  marble  bust  of  Mr. 


GENERAL    DANIEL    E-  SICKLES. 
From  photograph  from  life,  1865. 


SPIRITUAL  ADVICE.  I33 

Lincoln,  just  received,  and  to  which  Mrs.  Lincoln  had 
called  our  attention  earlier  in  the  evening,  stood  in 
front  of  the  large  pier-glass,  seeming  almost  lifelike 
in  the  shifting  shadows  made  by  the  gas-light  and  wav- 
ing palms.     The  scene  was  one  never  to  be  forgotten. 


134  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

A    STRANGE   INCIDENT. 

I  return  home — A  commission  appointed  to  investigate  the 
freedmen's  condition — 1  return  to  Washinorton — Our  friend 
General  William  Xorris — "Why,  Daniel,  what  is  the 
matter  ?"— The  telegram,  and  "  Who  killed  Cock  Robin  ?  " 
— Mr.  Somes  has  a  strange  meeting — A  matter  of  life  or 
death — The  President  reprieves  the  sentinel — Janvier's 
poem  of  the  "  Sleeping  Sentinel." 

AS  the  errand  that  had  taken  me  to  Washington 
was  accomplished,  and  having  met  all  our  old 
friends,  we  expected  to  return  home,  not  having  pre- 
pared ourselves  for  a  winter  sojourn.  Our  friends 
would  not  hear  to  this,  offering  to  send  for  our  cloth- 
ing if  we  would  remain  for  the  winter.  The  matter 
was  finally  arranged  by  my  friend  Parnie  remaining 
in  Washington,  while  I  was  given  two  weeks  to  return 
to  Hartford,  inform  my  parents,  and  get  my  clothing  ; 
also  to  go  to  South  Adams,  Mass.,  and  inform  my 
friend's  parents  of  our  intentions.  I  spent  a  few  days 
at  home  to  inform  father  of  the  particular  of  my 
recent  visit  to  the  White  House  ;  going  later  to  Adams, 
where  1  remained  a  few  days,  returned  again  to  my 
home  in  Hartford,  and  from  there  went  to  Washing- 


A  STRANGE  IXCIDENT.  135 

ton.  The  day  before  leaving  home,  father  entered  ray 
presence,  holding  in  his  hand  (if  I  remember  rightly) 
a  copy  of  the  "  Daily  Courant,"  saying  to  me,  "Here 
is  something,  Nettie,  that  will  interest  you."  He 
pointed  to  a  telegram  in  a  column  headed  "  Washing- 
ton Items:"  ''President  Lincoln  has  appointed  a 
special  committee  to  investigate  the  condition  of  the 
freedmen."  This  item  confirmed  what  I  had  told  my 
father  more  than  a  week  before  of  my  recent  sitting  at 
the  White  House.  It  also  proved  that  Mr.  Lincoln 
considered  the  counsel  he  had  received  through  me  of 
sufficient  importance  to  engage  his  attention,  as  he  had 
literally  followed  the  directions  given  him  by  the 
spirit  world.  It  is  a  matter  of  history  that  the  out- 
come of  this  investigation  was  the  formation  of  the 
Freedmen's  Bureau.* 

I  returned  to  Washington,  and  was,  with  my  friend, 
the  guest  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Somes  during  the  greater 
part  of  the  winter  of  1863-1864.  During  the  winter 
previously,  I  had  been  introduced  to  General  William 
Norris,  of  Philadelphia,  of  the  firm  of  "  Norris  & 
Sons,"  a  most  genial  and  kindly  old  gentleman,  whom 
I  judged  to  be  between  sixty  and  seventy  years  of  age. 

*  .  .  .  .  The  freed  men's  movement,  conducted  as  it  is 
by  tlie  puV)lic-spirited  and  liberal,  is  doing  a  world  of  good,  not 
only  to  the  colored  man,  but  to  the  whole  country.  It  is  the 
corner-stone  of  inevitable  reconstruction. — New  York  Herald. 


136  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

He  was  engaged  in  getting  an  important  point  before 
the  Navy  Department,  of  a  steam  vessel  or  gun-boat, 
so  constructed  as  to  be  impervious  to  shot  and  shell. 
I  had  many  sittings  for  this  gentleman,  and  he  became 
warmly  attached  to  myself  and  friend,  called  us  his 
granddaughters,  and  was  most  kind  to  us,  treating  us 
as  if  we  were  indeed  his  children,  as  his  letters  will 
testify.  He  visited  our  parents,  and  informed  them  of 
his  desire  to  adopt  us  as  such,  and  also  a  young  lady 
whom  I  have  before  mentioned,  a  Miss  Anna  Betts,  of 
Albany,  New  York.  It  was  during  the  period  of 
which  I  speak,  the  winter  of  1863-1864,  that  we  had 
occasion  to  send  Mr.  Norris  a  telegram  to  the  Astor 
House,  New  York.  Not  being  accustomed  to  writing 
messages  of  this  sort,  w^e  sought  Mr.  Somes,  asking 
his  aid  in  the  matter.  We  were  gathered  around  the 
table  in  their  pleasant  sitting-room.  Mrs.  Somes  was 
engaged  in  some  needle  work,  and  Mr.  Somes  reading 
the  evening  paper.  "  It  was  seven  o'clock,  and  we 
must  get  the  message  in  the  office  by  eight."  He  ex- 
plained our  difficulty  to  Mr.  Somes,  who  readily  laid 
aside  his  paper  and  taking  a  telegraph  blank  and 
pencil,  again  seated  himself  and  prepared  to  wTite 
what  we  desired.  We  told  him  the  idea  we  wished 
to  convey,  and  he  at  once  comprehended  our  wishes. 
But  the  minutes  flew  by  and  he  did  not  write.  A 
quarter  past  seven  came  and  went.  We  looked 
wonderingly  at  him,  when  Mrs.  Somes  remarked,  as 


i-:fti:iiiia*::i^i>»<iia^-- 


GENERAI,  WIIvLIAM  NORRIS. 
From  photograph  from  life,  presented  by  him  to  Mrs.  N.  C.  Maynard,  1S63. 


A  STRAXGE  IXCIDENT.  137 

she  saw  a  look  of  suppressed  mirth  in  his  face : 
"  Why,  Daniel,  what  is  the  matter  ?  I  never  saw 
you  wanting  in  words  before."  Shaking  with  silent 
laughter  (he  never  laughed  aloud  in  my  hearing),  he 
asked,  as  soon  as  he  could  recover  himself,  "  What 
do  you  suppose  is  running  through  my  mind  ?  I 
never  had  anything  puzzle  me  so  in  my  life."  Of 
course  we  could  not  tell  him  his  thoughts,  and  with 
his  lips  twitching  with  mirth  at  the  absurdity  of  the 
situation,  he  said,  "  As  truly  as  I  sit  here,  the  only 
words  I  can  form  in  my  mind  are  the  old  nursery 
lines — '  Who  killed  Cock  Robin  V  "  Our  amazement 
may  be  imagined  by  those  who  have  met  this  quiet 
and  dignified  gentleman. 

We  talked  for  some  moments  regarding  the  matter. 
He  explained  that  he  had  vainly  tried  to  put  into 
words  what  we  desired  to  say  in  the  dispatch  ;  saying 
that  every  time  he  attempted  to  concentrate  his 
thoughts  upon  the  subject  his  mind  was  confused,  and 
he  found  himself  repeating  the  ridiculous  lines  quoted 
above.  As  he  finished  his  explanation  he  glanced  at 
the  clock.  It  was  ten  minutes  of  ei^ht.  Mrs.  Somes 
remarked,  "  You  will  have  to  hurry  to  get  it  off 
to-night."  Instantly  his  pencil  flew  over  the  paper  as 
he  said,  "  It  is  perfectly  clear  to  me  now,"  and  the 
message  was  ready.  The  telegraph  office  was  but  a 
few  steps  away,  and  putting  on  a  light  overcoat  he 
hastened  out,  leaving  us  to  discuss  the  curious  inci- 


138  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIPJTUALLST? 

dent  that  had  delayed  us  nearly  an  hour,  caused  by  a 
person  always  so  clear  and  decisive  in  mind  and 
manner  as  Mr.  Somes.  It  was  a  few  minutes  past 
eight  when  he  returned,  indicating  suppressed  excite- 
ment in  his  manner,  and  with  his  usual  grave  smile 
said  to  his  wife,  "  Please  get  me  my  heavy  overcoat. 
I  have  found  out  who  killed  Cock  Robin,  or  who  is 
going  to  kill  him."  While  he  hastily  donned  his 
heavy  overcoat  and  overshoes  he  informed  us  that  as 
he  entered  the  telegraph  office  a  young  man  had  fol- 
lowed, who  brushed  past  him  hurriedly,  and  going  to 
the  counter,  said,  excitedly,  "  I  cannot  find  him,  and 
I  have  been  to  his  hotel,  and  to  every  other  place  I 
can  think  of."  The  operator  took  the  telegram  from 
the  young  man's  hand,  and,  looking  very  anxious,  said, 
"  This  is  very  important,  and  I  know  not  what  to  do." 
Mr.  Somes  at  once  asked  the  operator  what  the  trouble 
was.  The  man  answered,  "  Here  is  a  dispatch  from 
a  man  in  Maine,  whose  son  is  to  be  shot  to-morrow 
morning,  at  the  front,  for  sleeping  at  his  post ;  and  he 
has  telegraphed  to  the  member  from  his  district,  beg- 
ging him  to  see  the  President  and  get  a  stay  of  pro- 
ceedings until  he  can  come  on  and  have  one  last  inter- 
view with  his  son.  I  don't  know  what  to  do.  We 
cannot  find  the  member,  and  it  is  now  eight  o'clock." 
Mr.  Somes  at  once  offered  to  take  the  dispatch  to  the 
White  House,  and  himself  see  the  President  on  the 
poor  father's  behalf.     The  operator,  glad  to  be  relieved 


A  STRANGE  INCIDENT.  139 

of  the  responsibility,  handed  the  dispatch  over  to  Mr. 
Somes. 

Mr.  Lincohi  at  this  time  was  ill  and  confined  to  his  bed 
with  varioloid,  and  received  few,  if  any,  visitors.  But 
Mr.  Somes  was  never  refused  admittance,  for  he  had 
the  rare  tact  never  to  intrude,  save  when  important 
business  called  him,  or  when  Mr.  Lincoln  sent  for 
him.  Never  presuming  upon  Mr.  Lincoln's  well- 
known  friendship  for  himself,  he  never  bored  him 
nor  wasted  his  valuable  time,  as  too  many  others  did. 
Therefore,  whenever  his  card  was  sent  to  the  President, 
he  was  always  received.  Though  it  was  after  nine 
o'clock,  when  he  reached  the  White  House,  upon  send- 
ing up  his  card  with  the  words  upon  it,  "  A  matter 
of  life  and  death,"  he  was  immediately  shown  to  Mr. 
Lincoln's  bedside.  The  President  listened  to  his  story, 
and,  as  he  expressed  a  desire  to  know  all  the  particu- 
lars, Mr.  Somes  related  the  laughable  incident  of  the 
evening  which  had  delayed  his  going  to  the  telegraph 
office  nearly  an  hour,  and  how  it  was  the  cause  of 
bringing  him  in  direct  contact  with  the  messenger  who 
entered  the  office  at  the  moment  of  his  arrival  there. 
Mr.  Lincoln  himself  noted  the  incident,  and  remarked 
upon  its  being  somewhat  singular,  to  say  the  least. 
Sitting  up  in  bed,  Mr.  Lincoln  wrote  an  order  for 
a  reprieve  for  the  young  soldier,  which  Mr.  Somes 
took  immediately  to  the  War  Department,  and  had  it 
transmitted  at  once  to  headquarters  at  the  front.     It 


140  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

arrived  just  as  the  young  man  was  being  led  out  to 
execution.  Ten  minutes  more,  and  it  would  have 
been  too  late.  I  afterwards  learned  that  Mr.  Lin- 
coln pardoned  the  young  man,  who  perished  nobly 
in  battle. 

In  relating  this  incident  to  some  friends  in  after 
years,  they  presented  me  with  a  little  book  of  poems, 
in  which  was  one  entitled  "  The  Sleeping  Sentinel,"  and 
I  have  no  doubt  it  referred  to  this  incident.  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  poem  : — 

THE  SLEEPING  SENTINEL. 

'Twas  in  the  sultry  summer  time,  as  War's  red  records  show, 

When  patriot  armies  rose  to  meet  a  fratricidal  foe, 

When,  from  the  North,  and  East,  and  West,  hke  the  upheaving 

seas. 
Swept  forth  Columbia's  sons,  to  make  our  country  free. 

AYithin  a  prison's  dismal  walls,  where  shadows  veiled  decay, 
In  fetters,  on  a  heap  of  straw,  a  youthful  soldier  lay ; 
Heart-broken,   hopeless,  and  forlorn,  with  short  and  feverish 

breath. 
He  waited  but  the  appointed  hour  to  die  a  culprit's  death. 

Yes,  but  a  few  brief  weeks  before,  untroubled  with  a  care. 
He  roamed  at  will,  and  freely  drew  his  native  mountain  air, 
Where  sparkling  streams  leap  mossy  rocks,  from  many  a  wood- 
land font. 
And  waving  elms  and  grassy  slopes  give  beauty  to  Vermont. 

Where,  dwelling  in  a  humble  cot,  a  tiller  of  the  soil. 
Encircled  by  a  mother's  love,  he  shared  a  father's  toil. 
Till,  borne  upon  the  wailing  winds,  his  suffering  country's  cry 
Fired  his  voung  heart  with  fervent  zeal,  for  her  to  live  or  die. 


A  STRANGE  INCIDENT.  141 

Then  left  lie  all,  a  few  fond  tears,  by  firmness  concealed, 
A  blessing  and  a  parting  prayer,  and  he  was  in  the  field, 
The  field  of  strife,  whose  dews  are  blood,  whose  breezes  War's 

hot  breath, 
Whose  fruits  are  garnered  in  the  grave,  whose  husbandman  is 

Death. 

"Without  a  murmur  he  endured  a  service  new  and  hard ; 

But,  wearied  with  a  toilsome  march,  it  chanced  one  night,  on 

guard. 
He  sank,  exhausted,  at  his  post,  and  the  gray  morning  found 
His  prostrate  form — a  sentinel,  asleep,  upon  the  ground. 

So,  in  the  silence  of  the  night,  aweary,  on  the  sod. 
Sank  the  disciples,  watching  near  the  suffering  Son  of  God ; 
Yet,  Jesus,  with  compassion  moved,  beheld  their  heavy  eyes, 
And,  though  betrayed  to  "worthless  foes,  forgiving  bade  them 
rise. 

But  God  is  love,  and  finite  minds  can  faintly  comprehend 
How  gentle  Mercy  in  His  rule,  may  with  stern  Justice  blend; 
And  tliis  poor  soldier,  seized  and  bound,  found  none  to  justify. 
While  War's  inexorable  law  decreed  that  he  must  die. 

'Twas  night.     In  a  secluded  room,  with  measured  tread,  and 

slow, 

A  statesman  of  commanding  mien,  paced  gravely  to  and  fro. 
Oppressed,  he  pondered  on  a  laud  by  civil  discord  rent, 
On  brothers  armed  in  deadly  strife,  it  was  the  President. 

The  woes  of  thirty  millions  filled  his  burdened  heart  with  grief, 
Embattled  hosts,  on  land  and  sea,  acknowledged  him  their  chief. 
And  yet,  amid  the  din  of  war,  he  heard  the  plaintive  cry 
Of  that  poor  soldier,  as  he  lay  in  prison,  doomed  to  die. 

'Twas  morning.     On  a  tented  field,  and  through  the  heated 

haze. 
Flashed  back,  from  lines  of  burnished  arms,  the  sun's  cfiTulgent 

blaze. 
While,  from  a  sombre  prison  house,  seen  slowly  to  emerge, 
A  sad  procession,  o'er  the  sward,  moved  to  a  mufilcd  dirge. 


142  ^VAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

And  in  the  midst,  with  faltering  step,  and  pale  and  anxious 

face, 
In  manacles,  between  two  guards,  a  soldier  had  his  place. 
A  youth,  led  out  to  die  ;  and  yet,  it  was  not  death,  but  shame, 
That  smote  his  gallant  heart  with  dread,  and  shook  his  manly 

frame. 

Still  on,  before  the  marshaled  ranks,  the  train  pursued  its  way 
Up  to  the  designated  spot,  whereon  a  coffin  lay. 
His  coffin !   And,  with  a  reeling  train,  despairing,  desolate, 
He  took  his  station  by  its  side,  abandoned  to  his  fate. 

Then  came  across  his  wavering  sight  strange  pictures  in  the  air. 
He  saw  his  distant  mountain  home ;  he  saw  his  parents  there. 
He  saw  them  bowed  with  hopeless  grief,  through  fast  declining 

years. 
He  saw  a  nameless  grave  ;  and  then  the  vision  closed,  in  tears. 

Yet,  once  again.     In  double  file,  advancing,  then  he  saw 

Twelve  comrades,  sternly  set  apart  to  execute  the  law, 

But  saw  no  more ;    his  senses  swam,   deep   darkness   settled 

round. 
And,  shuddering,  he  awaited  now  the  fatal  volley's  sound. 

Then  suddenly  was  heard  the  noise  of  steeds  and  wheels  ap- 
proach, 

And,  rolling  through  a  cloud  of  dust,  appeared  a  stately  coach. 

On,  past  the  guards,  and  through  the  field,  its  rapid  course  was 
bent. 

Till,  halting,  'mid  the  lines  was  seen  the  Nation's  President. 

He  came  to  save  that  stricken  soul,  now  waking  from  despair, 
And  from  a  thousand  voices  rose  a  shout  which  rent  the  air. 
The  pardoned  soldier  understood  the  tones  of  jubilee, 
And,  bounding  from  his  fetters,  blessed  the  hand  that  made 
him  free. 

'Twas  Spring.     Within  a  verdant  vale,  where  "Warwick's  crj's- 

tal  tide 
Reflected,  o'er  its  peaceful  breast,  fair  fields  on  either  side. 
Where  birds  and  flowers  combined  to  cheer  a  sylvian  solitude, 
Two  threatening  armies,  face  to  face,  in  fierce  defiance  stood. 


A  STRASGE  INCIDENT.  I43 

Two  threatening  armies,  one  invoked  by  injured  liberty, 
AVliich  bore  above  its  patriot  ranks  the  symbol  of  the  tree; 
And  one,  a  rebel  horde,  beneath  a  flaunting  flag  of  bars, 
A  fragment,  torn  by  traitorous  hands  from  freedom's  Stripes 
and  Stars. 

A  sudden  shock  which  shook  the  earth,  'mid  vapor  dense  and 

dim. 
Proclaimed,  along  the  echoing  hills,  the  conflict  had  begun ; 
While  shot  and  shell,   athwart  the  stream,  with  fiendish  iury 

sped. 
To  strew  among  the  living  lines  the  dying  and  the  dead. 

Then,   louder  than  the  roaring  storm,   pealed  forth  the  stern 

command, 
"Charge!   Forward,  charge!"  and,  at  the  word,   with  shouts, 

a  fearless  band. 
Two  hundred  heroes  from  Vermont,  rushed  onward  throufjh 

the  flood. 
And  upward  o'er  the  rising  ground  they  marked  their  way  in 

blood. 

The  smitten  foe  before  them  fled,  in  terror,  from  his  post, 
AVhile,  unsustained,  two  hundred  stood,  to  battle  with  a  host. 
Then,  turning,  as  the  rallying  ranks,  with  murderous  fire,  re- 
plied, 
They  bore  the  fallen  o'er  the  field,  and  through  the  purple  tide. 

The  fallen,  and  the  first  who  fell  in  that  unequal  strife, 
"Was  he  whom  mercy  sped  to  save  when  justice  claimed  his  life. 
The  pardoned  soldier.    And,  while  yet  the  conflict  raged  around. 
While  yet  his  life  blood  ebbed  away  through  every  gaping  wound, 

While  yet  his  voice  grew  tremulous,  and  death  bedimmed  his 

eye, 
He  called  his  comrades  to  attest,  he  had  not  feared  to  die. 
And,  in  his  last  expirinir  breath,  a  prayer  to  Heaven  was  sent. 
That  God,  with  His  unfailing  grace,  would  bless  our  President. 

Francis  De  Haes  Janvier. 


144  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTS 


CHAPTER  XV. 

NEW    ACQUAINTANCES. 

We  spend  an  evening  with  Col.  Forney — Mrs.  Cosby  takes 
us  to  "Prospect  Cottage,"  the  home  of  Mrs.  South- 
worth — We  fall  in  love  with  her  daughter — "What  im- 
pressions do  you  receive?" — Mrs.  Southworth  recites  a 
strange  experience — "  You  shall  have  my  picture,"  she 
said — Seances  with  Mrs.  Lincoln  by  appointment. 

TN  February  we  returned  to  Mrs.  Cosby's,  553  Cap- 
-^  ital  Line,  she  insisting  upon  having  us  with  her  a 
portion  of  the  time.  One  day  Colonel  Forney's  serv- 
ing man,  Thomas,  a  tall,  fine-looking  mulatto,  of  ex- 
ceedingly dignified  manners,  presented  himself  at  Mrs. 
Cosby's,  with  a  note  from  Colonel  Forney,  inviting  her 
and  her  aunt,  Mrs.  Smith,  and  ourselves  to  spend  the 
afternoon  in  his  parlors  below.  She  accepted  the  in- 
vitation on  behalf  of  all,  and  at  the  appointed  hour 
we  were  ushered  into  his  presence  by  the  dignified 
Thomas.  We  were  duly  presented  by  Colonel  Forney 
to  a  small  party  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  one  of 
whom,  I  believe,  was  his  daughter.  He  informed  us 
and  the  company  that  he  had  a  musical  treat  in  store 
for  us,  communicating  the  fact  that  the  daughter  of 
his  man,  Thomas,  had  been  educated  at  the  North,  and 


NEW  ACQUAINTANCES.  145 

was  then  on  a  visit  to  her  father,  adding  that  she  was 
an  excellent  vocalist.  After  a  pleasant  conversation 
he  summoned  Thomas,  who  duly  presented  his  daugh- 
ter to  the  company.  She  was  a  very  pretty  mulatto 
girl,  and  clearly  showed  her  training  in  her  pleasant 
manners  and  easy  self-possession.  At  Colonel  For- 
ney's request  she  seated  herself  at  the  piano  and  with 
her  father  sang  several  pieces  with  fine  effect,  the 
company  applauding  their  efforts.  They  then  sang  a 
number  of  plantation  melodies,  closing  with  a  popu- 
lar song  just  published,  the  final  lines  of  the  chorus 
being,  "  It  must  be  now  that  the  kingdom  am  a  comin' 
in  the  year  of  jubiloo."  In  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
moment  the  dignity  of  Thomas  vanished,  and  he  showed 
all  the  enjoyment  and  peculiarities  of  his  race,  as  was 
manifest  by  his  gestures,  the  swaying  of  his  body,  and 
the  stamping  of  his  feet,  in  perfect  time  to  the  stir- 
ring strains  of  the  music. 

After  the  singing  we  were  served  with  refreshments 
in  the  form  of  cake,  light  wine,  ice-cream,  and  con- 
fectionery. Another  pleasant  half  hour  of  conversa- 
tion followed,  principally  upon  the  subject  of  spirit- 
ualism and  our  curious  incident  of  Mr.  Somes  and  the 
telegram,  ere  our  little  party  broke  up  and  we  re- 
turned to  our  rooms  above.  A  few  days  after  this 
Mrs.  Cosby  had  to  visit  the  Capitol  to  intercede  in 
behalf  of  a  bill  then  before  Congress,  in  which  she 
was  interested,  and  fearing  time  might  hang  heavily 
10 


146  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIlUTUALISll 

upon  our  hands  she  offered  to  get  for  me,  from  the 
Congressional  library,  any  book  I  might  wish  to  read. 
I  asked  her  to  procure  Mrs.  Emma  Southworth's  novel, 
entitled  "  Shannondale."  On  naming  the  authoress  she 
asked  me  if  I  had  ever  met  her.  Replying  in  the 
negative,  I  added  that  nothing  would  give  me  more 
pleasure  than  to  meet  her,  but  that  I  never  expected 
to  realize  my  desire.  She  smilingly  answered,  "  Why 
not,  when  she  lives  in  Georgetown?"  adding,  "If 
you  would  so  much  like  to  meet  with  her,  I  will  send 
her  a  note  this  morning,  asking  her  to  appoint  a  time 
to  receive  us."  To  express  my  pleasure  woild  be  im- 
possible, as  I  had  all  a  young  girl's  enthusiasm  for 
pleasant  reading,  and  to  me,  one  who  could  write 
books  appeared  to  belong  to  another  world.  In  due 
time  a  reply  came  to  Anna's  note,  inviting  us  to  attend 
her  reception  on  the  following  evening.  My  friend. 
Miss  Hannum,  did  not  care  to  go.  I  well  remember 
the  lovely  moonlight  night,  mild  and  balmy.  Taking 
the  horse-cars,  we  were  at  our  destination  in  less  than 
an  hour.  "  Bird's  Nest  Cottage,"  the  fanciful  yet 
fitting  name  Mrs.  Southworth  bestowed  upon  her 
home,  was  a  pretty,  low  cottage,  overlooking  the 
waters  of  the  Potomac.  It  was  covered  with  vines, 
and  I  could  clearly  see  that  in  the  summer  it  must  be 
a  beautiful  and  picturesque  spot.  It  had  been  sur- 
rounded by  flowers,  the  evidences  of  whose  past  ex- 
istence appeared  on  the  sides  approaching  the  entrance. 


MRS.  E.  D.  E.  X.  SOUTHWORTH. 
From  photograph  from  life,  presented  by  her  to  Mrs.  N.  C.  >.Iaynard. 


NEW  ACQUAINTANCES.  147 

We  were  received  by  a  colored  man,  who  directed  us 
where  to  lay  our  wraps,  and  were  then  shown  into  the 
drawing-room,  a  long,  low-ceiling  apartment,  hand- 
somely furnished,  which  was  already  well  filled  with 
ladies  and  gentlemen  in  brilliant  evening  dress.  Among 
the  gentlemen  the  uniforms  of  the  army  and  navy  pre- 
dominated. We  took  seats  in  a  corner,  where  we  could 
view  the  gay  scene  around  us,  when  my  attention  was 
directed  to  a  beautiful  girl  seated  at  the  piano,  playing 
some  low,  sweet  melody  that  rippled  pleasantly  through 
the  flow  of  conversation  without  interfering  with  it. 
She  was  not  above  the  medium  height,  but  I  think  her 
face  the  most  beautiful  I  ever  saw.  Her  complexion 
was  dazzling  fair,  her  eyes  a  deep,  dark  brown,  while 
her  hair  was  of  that  rare  shade,  "  brown  in  the 
shadow,  gold  in  the  sun,"  and  hung  in  long  curls 
over  her  neck  and  shoulders.  Expressing  to  ray  friend 
my  admiration  for  this  beautiful  girl,  she  informed  me 
it  was  Mrs.  Southworth's  daughter,  and  it  was  not 
difficult  to  trace  in  her  beautiful  lineaments  a  resem- 
blance to  more  than  one  heorine  described  in  the  writ- 
ings of  the  mother's  prolific  pen.  She  held  a  little 
court  of  her  own  ;  but  her  modest  demeanor  and  gentle 
reserve  commanded  the  utmost  deference  and  respect 
from  the  young  officers  by  whom  she  was  surrounded. 
It  was  nearly  nine  o'clock  when  Mrs.  Southworth  en- 
tered the  room. 

The  warmth  of  her  reception  attested  to  her  popu- 


148  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALLSTf 

laritj  with  her  guests,  and,  as  she  slowly  made  her 
way  through  the  throng  to  where  we  were  sitting,  I 
had  a  good  opportunity  to  study  her  face.  She  was 
above  medium  height,  with  a  fine  figure,  and  a  face  to 
ittract  attention  anywhere.  I  had  expected  to  find 
Mrs.  Southworth  an  old  lady,  while  she  was  in  the 
very  prime  of  her  womanhood.  Her  fine,  dark  hair 
was  combed  down  smoothly  each  side  of  her  face,  and 
"coiled  under"  low  at  the  back  of  her  neck.  She 
was  a  handsome  woman,  but  had  the  appearance  of  one 
who  had  seen  sorrow,  and  while  her  manners  were 
cordial  and  kindly,  her  smile  was  rare  but  tinged  with 
sadness.  She  was  dressed  in  a  rich,  black  velvet,  with 
choice  old  lace  at  neck  and  sleeves,  the  former  held 
by  a  diamond  pin,  her  only  ornament.  She  greeted 
Mrs.  Cosby  with  earnest  warmth,  and  I  was  presented 
to  her  as  one  of  her  warmest  admirers.  She  gave  me 
her  hand  with  a  most  pleasing  smile,  when  my  friend 
softly  whispered  to  her,  "  This  is  one  of  the  queer 
people."  Mrs.  Southworth's  hand  closed  over  mine 
with  a  firmer  pressure,  as  she  said,  "  Indeed  !  But 
you  did  not  tell  me  that  in  your  note,  or  I  would  have 
had  you  visit  me  more  privately.  But  come  with  me 
now  to  my  library."  She  escorted  us,  by  a  side  door, 
through  a  narrow  hall,  to  the  room  in  question.  It 
was  an  ideal  apartment,  three  sides  of  which  were 
lined  with  books,  showing  through  the  glass  doors  that 
reached  nearly  to  the  floor.     The  floor  was  covered 


NEW  ACQUAINTANCES.  149 

with  a  dark  green  carpet,  while  a  table  stood  in  the 
centre  of  the  room,  and  easy-chairs  occupied  the  dif- 
ferent corners.  The  room  was  in  perfect  order. 
Standing  by  the  table,  she  asked  me  to  place  my  hand 
upon  it,  and  tell  her  of  any  impressions  I  might  re- 
ceive. I  obeyed  her,  and  was  instantly  conscious  of 
the  presence  of  a  tall,  majestic-looking  man,  who  im- 
pressed me  as  being  one  born  to  command,  and  with 
power  to  execute  any  purpose  he  might  desire  to 
achieve.  I  was  particularly  impressed  with  the  restful 
feeling  pervading  the  apartment,  and  it  seemed  to  be 
the  place  of  all  others  in  which  to  rest  if  one  were 
weary.  I  expressed  all  this  to  her.  She  smiled, 
nodding  her  head  as  if  she  fully  understood  me. 
She  then  took  me  by  the  hand  and  led  me  across  a 
narrow  corridor  into  her  bed-chamber.  A  high-post 
bedstead  stood  at  my  right,  over  which  were  carelessly 
thrown  the  garments  she  had  discarded  a  short  time 
before.  In  front  of  me,  at  the  back  of  the  room,  was 
a  large  mirror,  beneath  which  was  a  pretty  dressing- 
table,  over  which  was  scattered,  in  careless  profusion, 
a  glittering  mass  of  jewelry,  as  if  it  had  been  care- 
lessly tossed  over  when  selecting  the  brilliant  pin  she 
wore.  Beyond,  in  the  further  corner,  was  a  toilet 
basin,  above  which  were  a  number  of  shelves,  inclosed 
by  glass  doors  from  floor  to  ceiling.  The  doors,  how- 
ever, were  standing  open  ;  and  I  distinctly  remember 
seeing  upon  the  upper  shelf  the  half  of  a  frosted  cake. 


150  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

partly  covered  with  a  white  napkin,  and  a  silver 
knife  lying  beside  it.  On  the  bottom  shelf  lay  combs 
and  brushes,  and  other  appurtenances  of  the  toilet. 
Still,  holding  me  by  the  hand,  she  led  me  to  the  centre 
of  the  room,  and  asked  me  what  impressions  I  re- 
ceived. A  shadow  seemed  to  fall  over  me  in  a  mo- 
ment, and  I  received  the  impression  as  of  something  the 
Scotch  would  call  uncanny,  and  could  not  repress  a 
shudder  of  fear.  I  seemed  to  sense,  in  a  manner  I  can- 
not describe,  that  where  we  then  stood  had  been  en- 
acted a  scene  of  violence.  As  she  insisted  upon 
knowing  the  cause  of  the  emotion  I  could  not  conceal 
I  told  her  my  impressions.  She  said,  "  I  am  satis- 
fied," and  returned  with  us  to  the  library.  She  then 
informed  us  that  her  apartment  was  a  part  of  the 
original  structure  that  was  on  the  place  when  the 
property  came  into  her  hands,  and  was  very  old. 

Tradition  said  it  was  once  a  public  house,  the  re- 
sort of   seamen 

While  my  impressions 

would  seem  to  confirm  this  tradition,  we,  of  course, 
had  no  way  of  knowing  the  truth.  The  library  had 
been  chosen  by  herself.  She  then  related  the  follow- 
ing incident :  During  the  time  when  the  Confederates 
approached  so  near  Georgetown  and  Washington  that 
the  cannonading  of  the  contending  armies  was  plainly 
discernible  in  both  cities,  she  was  in  her  cottage  wit. 


NEW  ACQUAINTANCES.  151 

only  her  daughter  and  hired  man  for  company.     The 
city  was  wild  with  alarm,  as  it  was  hourly  expected 
that  the   enemy   would   shell  the   place  ;    and,  as  a 
matter   of  fact,    had   the    Confederates   known   how 
poorly  both  Washington  and  Georgetown  at  that  time 
were  defended  they  could  easily  have  taken  possession. 
But  this  ignorance  on  that  point  was  all  that  saved 
them.     Mrs.   Southworth,  in  her  almost  defenceless 
condition,  did  not  know  whether  it  was  best  to  desert 
her  home  and  go  to  Washington,  or  to  remain  where 
she  was.     It  was  already  dark,  and  she  was  standing 
in  front  of  a  sofa  in  her  drawing-room  alone,  full  of 
anxiety  and  dread,  fully  realizing  the  isolation  of  her 
cottage,   and   undecided   how  to    act,    and   as    these 
thoughts  passed  through  her  mind  she  unconsciously 
murmured  half  aloud,  "  There   are  but  three   of  us 
here  ;"  when  she   said,  "  I  distinctly  heard   a  voice 
say,  as  if  in  re'Sponse,  '  There  are  four,'  and  I  imme- 
diately became  aware,"  she  went  on,  "that  standing  at 
the  end  of  the  sofa  was  what  I  can  only  describe  as  a 
grand   majestic   presence.      I   did   not  see    him,  but 
felt  he  was  there.     Who  it  was,  I  do  not  know.     I 
can  only  tell  you  that  my  feelings  instantly  changed, 
and    I   became    calm    and    collected,   and   from   that 
moment  all  fear  left  me.     I  felt  a  sense  of  protection 
scarcely  to  be  described,  and  from   that  moment   to 
this,  have  felt  the  utmost  confidence  in  a  Protective 
Power,  whatever  it  may  be."     She  added,  "I  have 


152  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

no  doubt  that  the  presence  you  felt  so  clearly,  while 
standing  with  your  hand  upon  this  table,  was  the 
same."  After  some  further  talk  upon  the  subject  she 
asked  me  if  I  had  any  objection  to  being  entranced 
before  her  guests  if  they  should  desire  it. 

I  replied  in  the  negative,  when  she  left  us  and  re- 
turned to  the  drawing-room ;  and  after  an  absence  of 
some  moments  returned,  saying  the  company  were 
eagerly  waiting  for  me.  Before  going  out,  she  asked 
me  what  she  should  give  me  as  a  souvenir  of  our 
meeting.  I  replied,  "  If  I  could  only  have  your 
picture,  I  should  prize  it  above  all  else."  "  You 
shall  have  it,"  she  replied,  and  going  to  her  dressing- 
case,  where  were  a  number  of  photographs,  she 
selected  one  of  herself,  and  brought  it  to  me  to  my 
great  delight,  and  I  still  have  it  among  my  treasured 
mementos  of  that  time.  We  returned  to  her  guests, 
and  while  one  of  the  company  played  some  pleasant 
music,  I  became  entranced,  and  for  more  than  an  hour 
was  kept  busy  reading  the  characters  of  the  different 
persons  present,  and  relating  incidents  in  their  lives 
of  which  they  knew  I  could  have  hadno  knowledge  what- 
ever. The  seance  closed  with  a  brief  address  by  my 
spirit  guides  explaining  the  law  of  the  spirit  return 
and  control,  and  I  awoke  amid  the  applause  they 
readily  accorded  me.  When  I  was  fully  restored  to 
myself,  the  company  crowded  about  me,  asking  me  all 
manner  of  questions  regarding  my  peculiar  gift,  ex- 


NEW  ACQUAINTANCES.  153 

pressing  their  warm  pleasure  at  what  they  had  wit- 
nessed, many  soliciting  the  privilege  of  calling  upon 
me  for  a  private  sitting,  as  they  were  fully  satisfied, 
they  assured  me,  that  I  could  give  them  further  infor- 
mation upon  matters  I  had  already  spoken  about  dur- 
ing the  evening.  It  was  nearly  midnight  when  we 
reached  Capitol  Hill,  and  I  shall  ever  remember  the 
pleasure  and  satisfaction  I  experienced  in  meeting  with 
her,  whom  I  had  learned  to  love  through  her  writings, 
and  who  to  my  youthful  mind  seemed  something  be- 
yond the  common  order  of  humanity. 

During  the  latter  part  of  February,  and  the  month 
of  March,  I  had  a  number  of  seances  with  President 
Lincoln  and  his  wife  ;  but,  as  there  were  no  other  wit- 
nesses, and  as  they  did  not  inform  me  of  the  nature 
of  the  communications,  I  cannot  speak  as  to  their 
nature,  but  simply  allude  to  the  fact.  These  seances 
took  place  by  appointment.  At  the  close  of  one,  Mrs. 
Lincoln  would  make  an  appointment,  engaging  me  to 
come  at  a  certain  hour  of  the  day,  which  usually 
would  be  in  the  vicinity  of  one  o'clock,  the  time  when 
Mr.  Lincoln  usually  partook  of  his  luncheon,  which 
generally  occupied  about  half  to  three-quarters  of  an 
hour. 


154  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

WE    LOSE    A   FRIEXD. 

Mr.  Lincoln  and  "  Abraham,  Laudamus" — Eev.  Byron  Sun- 
derland's desire  to  witness  a  stance — He  sends  ]Mrs.  Cosby 
a  letter — I  lecture  in  the  Columbia  Company's  Hall — "  Thy 
coming,  'tis  as  steals  the  morn" — Mrs.  Cosby's  death,  and 
notices  of  same — I  write  a  presentation  address. 

MANY  subjects  of  interest  were  discussed  at  the 
various  meetings  I  had  with  Mr.  Lincoln.  I 
remember  calling  his  attention  to  a  parody  upon  the 
Church  Litany,  which  was  published  in  a  prominent 
newspaper  of  decided  anti-abolition  tendency. 

In  my  childish  admiration  for  him,  I  felt  that  the 
composition  and  publication  were  downright  crime,  and 
that  the  writer,  especially,  should  be  severely  pun- 
ished. Had  it  not  been  for  this  feeling  of  indignation 
and  wrong  it  doubtless  would  never  have  reached  his 
notice.  When  I  handed  it  to  him  he  smiled  and  said, 
"We  can  afford  to  let  our  enemies  have  a  fling  at  us  ;" 
then  he  added,  more  seriously,  "  It  is  a  sorry  wit  that 
can  find  no  better  employment  nor  different  weapons 
with  which  to  fight  us  than  to  trifle  with  sacred 
things."     The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  parody : — 


"  When  I  handed  it  to  him  he  smiled  and  said,  "  We  can  afford  to  let  onr 
enemies  have  a  flinif  at  us,"  then  he  added  more  seriously,  "  It  is  a  sorry  wit 
that  can  find  no  better  employment  nor  different  weapons  with  which  to 
fight  us  than  to  trifle  with  sacred  things."— rage  is4. 


WE  LOSE  A  FRIEND,  155 

TE,  ABRAHAM,  LAUDAMUS. 

We  praise  thee,  O  Abe  !  We  acknowledge  thee  to  be  sound 
on  the  goose. 

All  Yankee-land  doth  worship  thee,  everlasting  old  joker ! 

To  thee  all  othce-seekers  cry  aloud. 

"  Flunkeydom,"  and  all  the  powers  therein. 

To  thee,  Stanton  and  Wells  continually  do  cry, 

"Bully,  bully,  bully  boy,  with  a  glass  eye." 

Washington  and  Illinois  are  full  o?  the  majesty  of  thy  praise. 

The  glorious  company  of  the  political  generals  praise  thee. 

The  goodly  fellowship  of  postmasters  praise  thee. 

The  noble  army  of  contractors  praise  thee. 

The  mighty  republican  institutions  throughout  all  Columbia 
doth  acknowledge  thee. 

The  father  of  infinite  proclamations,  thine  admirable  true,  and 
07d(/  policy. 

Thy  penitent  and  freed  subjects  of  the  Bastiles  do  bow  down 
in  adoration  unto  thee. 

Also  Brevet  Lieutenant-General  Winfield  Scott  the  comforter. 

Thou  art  the  king  of  "  Rail  Splitters,"  O  Abe  ! 

Thou  art  the  everlastinjj  son  of  the  late  Mr.  Lincoln. 

When  thou  tookest  upon  thee  to  run  for  the  Presidency,  thou 
didst  humble  thyself  to  stand  upon  the  "  Chicago  Platform." 

When  thou  did'st  overcome  tlie  sharpness  of  election,  thou 
didst  open  the  White  House  kitchen  to  all  believers. 

Thou  sittest  at  the  right  hand  of  "  Uncle  Sam,"  in  tlie  glory 
of  the  Capitol. 

We  believe  that  thou  shalt  not  come  to  be  re-elected. 

Kevertheless,  we  pray  thee,  help  thy  servants  whom  thou  hast 
kept  from  "  Jeff  Davis,"  and  "Foreign  Intervention." 

Make  us  to  be  remembered  with  thy  favorites  in  office  ever- 
lasting ! 

O  Abe  !   Save  thy  people  and  bless  thy  parasites  ! 

Govern  them  and  increase  their  salaries  forever. 

Be  profuse  with  thy  people  and  servants,  and  abundantly 
pour  into  their  laps  thy  greenbacks  and  Chase  them  not  away. 

Day  by  day  we  puff  thee. 

And  we  exalt  thy  name  ever  in  the  daily  papers. 

Vouchsafe,  O  Abe  !  To  keep  us  this  day  without  a  change  of 
generals. 


156  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

O  Abe  !   Have  mercy  on  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

O  Abe !  let  thy  mercy  be  upon  us,  as  our  trust  is  not  in 
Stanton. 

O  Abe  !  For  thee  have  I  voted,  let  me  never  be  drafted  ;  but 
if  so,  do  thou  provide  us  a  substitute  on  account  of  our  infirmi- 
ties. 


At  this  time  our  friend,  Mrs.  Cosbj,  wishing  to  aid 
us  financially,  enlisted  the  services  of  the  Columbia 
Fire  Company,  whose  patroness  she  was,  as  heretofore 
mentioned. 

During  our  stay  with  her  she  presented  the  com- 
pany with  a  beautiful  American  flag,  and  had  been 
instrumental  in  getting  Congress  to  grant  them  a  steam 
fire  engine,  I  think  the  first  introduced  into  Washing- 
ton. Not  a  man  in  the  company  but  who  would  have 
performed  any  required  task  at  her  request,  and  when 
she  expressed  her  desire  to  have  me  give  a  public  lec- 
ture in  their  hall,  the  members  of  the  fire  company 
freely  voted  me  the  use  of  it  without  charge,  and 
themselves  prepared  and  sold  the  tickets  ;  the  result 
of  which  was  that  I  realized  nearly  one  hundred 
dollars. 

Just  before  we  left  Washington  for  Hartford, 
Mrs.  Cosby  made  an  appointment  for  a  meeting 
between  her  pastor,  the  Rev.  Byron  Sunderland,  and 
myself,  as  she  had  talked  with  him  freely  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Spiritualism,  relating  what  she  had  witnessed 
through  my  mediumship  and  that  of  others,  and  as 
he  had  expressed  a  desire,  as  she  informed  me,  to 


WE  LOSE  A  FRIEND.  157 

witness  something  of  what  she  had  described.  When 
the  evening  arrived  she  received  a  note"^  from  him, 
which  is  now  in  my  possession,  expressing  his  regret 
at  not  being  able  to  keep  his  appointment,  as  he  was 
unexpectedly  called  out  of  town.  Our  iirrangements 
having  been  made  to  return  home  the  first  of  April, 
time  did  not  permit  us  to  make  a  second  appointment ; 
but  our  friend  remarked  that,  as  we  must  certainly 
return  in  the  fall,  a  meeting  she  hoped  would  then 

*  To  Mrs.  Cosby  : 

My  Dear  Friend  :  I  am  called  unexpectedly  to  Baltimore 
this  P.M.,  and  shall  not  return  in  time  to  witness  the  scene 
you  had  kindly  prepared  for  me  and  others  through  your  oblig- 
ing friend  this  evening.  Please  make  the  explanation  in  my 
behalf,  and  much  oblige, 

Truly  yours,  B.  Sunderland. f 

June  26,  1863. 

f  I  am  not  certain  how  long  this  gentleman  was  Mr.  Lin- 
coln's pastor.  It  is,  however,  my  recollection  that  it  was  for  some 
years.  I  know  that  Mrs.  Cosby  attended  his  church,  was  his  friend, 
and  that  the  memorial  services  at  her  death  were  under  his  per- 
sonal direction.  The  reverend  doctor  had,  so  Mrs.  Cosby  informed 
me,  talked  with  Mr.  Lincoln  upon  the  subject  of  Spiritualism,  and 
regarding  myself,  and  knew  full  well  m}-  position  in  the  estimation 
of  both  the  President  and  his  wife.  Dr.  Sunderland  can  tell  of 
many  kindly  acts  on  the  part  of  Mrs.  Cosby,  for  he  knew  her  inti- 
mately for  many  years,  as  did  almost  every  Christian  minister  in 
Washington.  Dr.  Sunderland  is  still  living  in  "Washington,  and  if  I 
mistake  not,  his  church  was  frequented  by  Mr.  Cleveland  while  in 
the  presidential  position. 


158  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIPdTUALIST? 

take  place.  Alas,  "we  little  knew  this  was  our  final 
parting.  Two  precious  letters  reached  us  from  her 
during  April,  which  were  the  last  she  ever  penned. 
On  the  first  day  of  May  she  was  taken  ill,  and  on  the 
31st  she  had  joined  the  angels,  whose  loving  minister 
she  was,  and  into  whose  company  she  was  well  worthy 
to  enter.  Like  the  Master  she  so  faithfully  served, 
she  went  about  doing  good,  and  rarely,  I  was  told, 
was  such  a  funeral  witnessed  in  Washington  as  that  of 
this  noble,  unselfish  woman,  whose  life  was  devoted  to 
acts  of  charity,  and  who  was  never  so  happy  as  when 
engaged  in  some  unostentatious  act  of  benevolence. 
On  one  occasion  my  hand  was  mechanically  guided 
and  wrote  of  her  the  following  lines  that  seem  fittingly 
to  apply  to  her  beautiful  nature : — 

Thy  coming — 'tis  as  steals  the  morn 

Across  the  starry  skies  ; 
Night's  jeweled  crown  of  darkness  born, 

In  morning's  glory  dies. 
'Tis  like  a  pure,  sweet,  tender  strain 

Of  music  drawing  nigh, 
As  if  we  caught  the  low  refrain 

Of  Bethlehem's  lullaby. 

Thy  presence — soft  it  falls  around 

As  falls  the  dew  of  ev'n  ; 
When  twilight  shuts  the  eyes  of  day, 

And  whispers  dreams  of  Heaven. 
Love  tunes  her  harp  when  thou  art  near, 

And  softly  sweeps  the  strings, 
And  ev'n  despair  looks  up  to  catch 

The  hope  that  presence  brings. 


WE  LOSE  A  FRIEND.  159 

Thy  going — ah,  fond  memory  tells 

Thou  never  canst  depart, 
But  like  the  spell  that  silence  weaves 

At  twilight  round  the  heart, 
Thou  lingerest  ever,  seeming  like 

The  echo  of  a  prayer. 
A  note  of  music,  never  lost, 

But  lingering  everywhere. 

The  following  obituary  notice  from  a  Washington 
paper  will  convey  somewhat  of  an  idea  of  the  warm 
esteem  in  which  she  was  held.  But  only  those  who 
knew  her  intimately,  as  I  did,  can  appreciate  the 
sweetness,  purity,  and  depth  of  her  character : — 

OBITUARY. 

Died,  at  her  residence  on  Capitol  Hill,  on  Tuesday,  31st 
May,  in  the  forty-sixth  year  of  her  age,  after  a  lingering  ill- 
ness, Mrs.  Anna  Mills  Cosby,  wife  of  Fortunatus  Cosby, 
and  daughter  of  the  late  Robert  Mills. 

Her  death  was  tranquil  and  resigned,  and  full  of  faith  and 
hope  of  a  blessed  immortality,  as  her  heart  had  been  ever  full 
of  all  womanly  and  Christian  sympathies  and  charities.  Humbly 
striving  to  follow  the  example  of  her  adorable  Redeemer,  she 
"  went  about  doing  good,"  and  her  gentle  life  was  as  the  breath 
of  the  flower  garden  for  all  on  whom  its  sweet  influences  were 
shed.  Hers  is  a  record  which  the  eyes  of  earth  are  too  dim  to 
read,  but,  in  the  light  of  that  better  world  to  which  she  has 
been  translated,  it  will  glow  with  an  eternal  lustre. 

The  funeral  will  take  place  from  her  late  residence,  553  New 
Jersey  avenue,  this  (Thursday)  afternoon,  June  2d,  at  four 
o'clock. 

At  the  same  time,  in  a  spiritualistic  journal,  ap- 
peared the  following  notice  : — 

We  have  been  called  upon  to  part  with  one  of  our  most 
worthy  advocates,  Mrs.  Anna  M..  Cosby,  a  lady  whose  praise 


160  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

was  on  the  lips  of  all  who  knew  her.  It  was  ray  fortune  to  make 
her  acquaintance  on  my  first  visiting  this  city,  and  to  no  one 
have  I  been  more  indebted  than  to  her  for  many  pleasant  hours. 
She  was  eminently  a  Christian  Spiritualist,  and  although  con- 
tinuing to  hold  her  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church — 
Dr.  Sunderland's — she  openly  and  freely  advocated  Spiritual- 
ism. During  her  last  illness  she  had  her  spiritual  vision  opened, 
saw  and  described  many  scenes  of  spirit  life,  as  also  conversed 
with  her  spirit  friends.  At  the  funeral,  which  was  conducted 
by  Dr.  Sunderland  and  two  other  clergymen,  full  tribute  was 
paid  to  her  worth,  and  especially  did  Dr.  Sunderland  expatiate 
upon  the  visions  she  had  during  her  last  sickness. 

Mrs.  Cosby  was  the  wife  of  the  recent  Consul  to  Geneva  ;  she 
was  a  Southerner  by  birth,  but  as  loyal  a  woman  as  the  North 
ever  produced.  Her  personal  attractions  were  only  equalled  by 
her  excellences  of  character ;  no  one  could  be  in  her  presence 
without  feeling  themselves  associated  with  a  superior  person. 
She  was  very  benevolent,  and  the  poor  whites,  as  well  as  the 
colored,  have  lost  in  her  a  true  friend.  She  was  the  Lady 
Blessincjton  of  Washington.  Her  death  is  a  great  loss  to  us, 
for  she  was  well  adapted  to  advocate  our  views,  and  did  so  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  create  an  interest,  while  her  social  position 
was  such  as  to  command  respect.  But  while  we  shall  miss  her 
personal  appearance,  we  know  she  was  well  prepared,  and  is 
now  one  of  the  bright  spirit-advocates  of  our  beautiful  faith, 
bringing  us  aid  from  the  spirit-world. 

During  that  month  I  was  lecturing  in  Albany,  Troy, 
and  other  places,  and  consequent  upon  frequent 
changes  failed  to  receive  the  letter  written  us  by  her 
aunt,  Mrs.  Lizzie  Peyton  Smith,  telling  of  her  dan- 
gerous illness  and  earnest  desire  to  see  us,  until  it  was 
too  late  even  to  attend  the  funeral.  The  shock  of  the 
sudden  announcement  of  her  death  made  me  ill  for 
some  time,  and  afterward  it  seemed  as  if  the  chief 
attraction  for  me  in  Washington  was  gone.  In  June 
(1864)  I  received  another  letter  from  Mrs.  Smith, 


GKORGE  A.  BACON,  Esq. 
From  photograph  from  life,  1865. 


WE  LOSE  A  FRIEXD.  l^jl 

communicating  the  fact  that  Anna  had  intended  pre- 
senting the  Columbia  Fire  Company  with  a  signal  flag 
on  the  approaching  Fourth  of  July,  and  that,  as  she 
realized  the  end  was  approaching,  she  commissioned 
her  CMrs.  Smith)  to  present  it  in  her  name.  She 
wished  me,  therefore,  to  get  my  spirit  friends  to  pre- 
pare the  address  for  her  to  accompany  the  flag,  saying 
that  Anna's  loss  and  the  shock  to  her  had  been  so  sud- 
den and  severe  that  she  did  not  feel  competent  to  express 
herself  as  she  desired  and  as  she  knew  Anna  would 
wish.  I  at  once  complied  with  her  request,  sending 
her  what  she  desired.  This  address  was  dictated  by 
my  spirit  guides  through  me,  and  written  down  by  my 
friend.  Miss  Hannum,  and  forwarded  to  Mrs.  Smith. 
She  afterwards  wrote  us  of  her  pleasure  on  receiving 
it,  telling  us  she  copied  it  faithfully,  as  it  expressed 
exactly  her  feelinors  and  views,  and  on  the  Fourth  of 
July  following  she  presented  the  flag  to  the  company. 
She  gave  them  the  address ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  it  is 
still  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  company.  The 
following  is  a  copy : — 

piVritten  for  Mrs.  Lizzie  P.  Smith,  Washington,  D.  C] 

A  LETTER  OF  PRESENTATION. 

To  THE  Columbia  Fire  Compaxt.  Washixgtox.  D.  C. 

Gextlemex:  The  occasion  which  call?  for  these  few  lines 
from  me  is  ?o  fraught  with  sadness  that  they  must  necessarily 
be  brief — sadness  that  I  am  called  to  take  the  place  of  one  who 
is  now  numbered  with  the  angels  of  God,  and  who,  I  feel  as- 

11 


162  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

sured,  smiles  on  us  to-day  from  heaven,  in  thus  witnessing  one 
of  lier  last  wishes  fulfilled. 

The  departure  from  this  life  of  my  beloved  niece,  Mrs, 
Cosby,  has  cast  a  gloom  over  my  heart  that  only  the  glorious 
light  of  God's  promise  of  immortality  to  the  "  pure  in  heart" 
can  pierce  and  illuminate. 

And  on  whom  shall  the  white  robes  of  the  Resurrection  fall, 
if  not  on  the  pure  spirit  of  her  who  was  humanity's  friend  and 
advocate,  and  who  was  to  you  a  most  faithful  benefactress  ? 
Then  in  the  light  of  that  holy  immortality,  that  seemed  to  fall 
around  her  while  yet  she  walked  with  us,  and  which  crowned 
with  a  halo  of  glory  her  dying  pillow,  let  us  look  up  and  say 
with  trusting  hearts,  "  Thy  will  be  done." 

In  closing  the  beautiful  record  of  her  earthly  life  she  did  not 
forget  those  who,  for  so  long  a  time,  have  had  her  kindly  care,  in 
proof  of  which  I  present  you  theafcompanying  "  Signal  Flag," 
which  she  desired  you  to  receive  from  my  hand  on  this  anni- 
versary of  our  national  independence. 

Hallowed  as  it  will  ever  be  by  the  most  sacred  associations, 
let  it  ever  admonish  you  of  the  glorious  principles  it  repre- 
sents— Equal  Rights  and  Liberties !  And  when  'tis  thrown 
out  to  kiss  the  breeze  of  heaven  let  it  be  a  cheering  signal  to 
all,  that  beneath  it  is  to  be  ever  found  a  brave  and  fearless  band 
of  the  "People's  Defenders,"  who  hurl  defiance  at  the  in- 
cendiary's torch,  and  who  stand  in  faithful  guardianship  over 
the  slumbers  and  busy  life  of  our  loAcd  city.  Let  its  bright 
folds  outshine  the  lurid  glare  of  the  fire  fiend,  and  let  your 
strong  arms  and  brave  hearts  fulfil  its  promise  to  the  people — 
that  while  a  thread  remains  in  the  signal  flag  the  Columbia 
Fire  Company  will  he  found  at  its  post  of  duty! 

In  expressing  the  above  sentiments  I  feel  I  convey  those  of 
the  departed,  and  who,  I  feel  assured,  could  she  now  address 
you,  would  point  you  in  conclusion  to  the  motto  of  your  com- 
pany : — 

"  The  performance  of  duty  ensures  the  protection  of  God!'* 


A  TEST  SEANCE.  163 


CHAPTER  XYII. 

A  TEST  SEANCE. 

"We  are  requested  to  attend  a  private  stance  at  the  White 
House — The  President  asks  me  to  demonstrate  my  "rare 
gift,"  as  he  called  it— The  two  soldiers  present  in  citizen's 
dress-—"  Perfectly  satisfactory,"  said  Mr.  Lincoln;  "Miss 
Nettie  does  not  require  eyes  to  do  anything" — Tracing 
lines  upon  the  map  5  I  do  not  hear  the  import  of  the 
stance — Those  were  not  days  for  trifling— An  account  of  a 
witty  application  of  a  part  of  Knox's  poem,  "  Why  Should 
the  Spirit  of  Mortal  be  Proud  ?"— The  complete  poem. 

THERE  was  another  meeting  with  Mr.  Lincoln 
which  is  interesting  and  of  considerable  value. 
Shortly  after  my  return  to  Washington,  and  while  visit- 
ing Major  Chorpenning  one  evening,  Mr.  Somes  called. 
After  an  exchange  of  compliments,  he  stated  that  he 
had  been  requested  to  have  me  attend  a  seance,  and 
as  the  same  was  of  a  private  character  he  was  not  at 
liberty  to  say  more.  We  all  suspected  the  truth,  how- 
ever, and  I  instantly  made  ready  to  accompany  him. 
After  entering  the  carriage  provided  for  the  occasion, 
he  informed  us  that  our  destination  was  the  White 
House,  explaining  that  while  at  the  War  Department 
that  afternoon  he  had  met  Mr.  Lincoln  coming  from 


164  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIIUTUALLST? 

Secretary  Stanton's  office.  Mr.  Somes  bowed  to  the 
President  and  was  passing  onward  when  Mr.  Lincoln 
stopped  him,  asking  whether  Miss  Colburn  was  still  in 
the  city,  and  if  so,  whether  it  were  possible  to  have 
her  visit  the  White  House  that  evening.  Upon  a  re- 
ply in  the  affirmative  to  both  questions,  Mr.  Lincoln  re- 
marked, "  Please  bring  her  to  the  White  House  at 
eight  or  nine  o'clock,  but  consider  the  matter  con- 
fidential." By  the  time  Mr.  Somes  had  completed 
his  recital  we  were  at  the  door  of  that  historic  man- 
sion, and  a  servant,  who  was  evidently  on  the  watch 
for  us,  quickly  opened  the  door  and  we  were  hurried 
up  stairs  to  the  executive  chamber,  where  Mr.  Lincoln 
and  two  gentlemen  were  awaiting  our  coming.  Mr. 
Lincoln  gave  an  order  to  the  servant,  who  retired,  and 
a  moment  later  Mrs.  Lincoln  entered.  I  am  satisfied 
from  what  followed  that  she  was  summoned  on  my  ac- 
count to  place  me  more  at  ease  than  otherwise,  under 
the  circumstances,  would  have  been  the  case.  Mr. 
Lincoln  then  quietly  stated  that  he  wished  me  to  give 
them  an  opportunity  to  witness  something  of  my 
"  rare  gift,"  as  he  called  it,  adding,  "  You  need  not 
be  afraid,  as  these  friends  have  seen  something  of  this 
before."  The  two  gentlemen  referred  to  were  evi- 
dently military  officers,  as  was  indicated  by  the  stripe 
upon  their  pantaloons,  although  their  frock  coats,  but- 
toned to  the  chin,  effectually  concealed  any  insignia 
or  mark  of  rank.     One  of  these  gentlemen  was  quite 


A  TEST  SEANCE.  165 

tall  and  heavily  built,  with  auburn  hair  and  dark  eyes, 
and  side  whiskers,  and  of  decided  military  bearing. 
The  other  gentleman  was  of  average  height,  and  I 
somehow  received  the  impression  that  he  was  lower  in 
rank  than  his  companion.  He  had  light  brown  hair 
and  blue  eyes,  was  quick  in  manner,  but  deferential 
towards  his  friend,  whose  confirmation  he  involun- 
tarily sought  or  indicated  by  his  look  of  half  appeal 
while  the  conversation  w^ent  on. 

We  sat  quiet  for  a  few  moments  before  I  became 
entranced.  One  hour  later  I  became  conscious  of  my 
surroundings,  and  was  standing  by  a  long  table,  upon 
which  was  a  large  map  of  the  Southern  States!  In  my 
hand  was  a  lead  pencil,  and  the  tall  man,  with  Mr. 
Lincoln,  was  standing  beside  me,  bending  over  the 
map,  while  the  younger  man  was  standing  on  the 
other  side  of  the  table,  looking  curiously  and  intently 
at  me.  Somewhat  embarrassed,  I  glanced  around  to 
note  Mrs.  Lincoln  quietly  conversing  in  another  part 
of  the  room.  The  only  remarks  I  heard  were  these : 
"  It  is  astonishing,"  said  Mr.  Lincoln,  ''  how  every 
line  she  has  drawn  conforms  to  the  plan  agreed  upon." 
"  Yes,'*  answered  the  older  soldier,  "  it  is  very  aston- 
ishing." Looking  up,  they  both  saw  that  I  was  awake, 
and  they  instantly  stepped  back,  while  Mr.  Lincoln 
took  the  pencil  from  my  hand  and  placed  a  chair  for 
me. 

Then  madam  and  Mr.  Somes  at  once  joined  us,  Mr. 


166  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTS 

Somes  asking,  "  Well,  was  everything  satisfactory  ?" 
"  Perfectly,"  responded  Mr.  Lincoln ;  "  Miss  Nettie 
does  not  seem  to  require  eyes  to  do  anything,"  smil- 
ing pleasantly.  The  conversation  then  turned,  de- 
signedly I  felt,  to  commonplace  matters. 

Shortly  afterwards,  when  about  leaving,  Mr.  Lin- 
coln said  to  us  in  a  low  voice,  "  It  is  best  not  to  men- 
tion this  meeting  at  present."  Assuring  him  of  silence 
upon  the  question,  we  were  soon  again  on  our  way  to 
the  major's. 

Mr.  Somes  informed  me  that  he  heard  enough  in 
the  opening  remarks  of  the  spirit  to  convince  him 
that  the  power  controlling  knew  why  I  had  been  sum- 
moned. He  said  I  walked  to  the  table  unaided  and 
requested  that  a  pencil  be  handed  me,  after  which  the 
President  requested  Mr.  Somes  and  Mrs.  Lincoln  to 
remain  where  they  were  at  the  end  of  the  room.  "  In 
accordance  with  this  request,"  said  Mr.  Somes,  "  we 
paid  no  attention  to  what  was  being  said  or  done,  fur- 
ther than  to  notice  you  tracing  lines  upon  the  map, 
and  once  one  of  the  gentlemen  re-sharpened  the  pen- 
cil for  you."  T  never  knew  the  purport  of  this  meet- 
ing, nor  can  I  say  that  Mr.  Somes  ever  heard  more 
regarding  the  strange  affair.  That  it  was  important 
may  be  supposed,  for  those  were  not  days  for  the  in- 
dulgence of  idle  curiosity  in  any  direction,  nor  was 
Mr.  Lincoln  a  man  to  waste  his  time  in  giving  exhibi- 
tions  in   occult   science    for   the    amusement   of  his 


A  TEST  SEANCE.  167 

friends.  The  impressions  left  upon  my  mind  could 
not  be  otherwise  than  gratifying,  in  finding  myself 
the  recipient  of  such  unusual  attentions,  and,  for  the 
occasion,  the  central  figure  in  what  appeared  to  be 
a  mysterious  and  momentous  consultation.  Had  it 
been  simply  an  experiment  to  test  my  mediuraship, 
Mr.  Somes  and  Mrs.  Lincoln  would  have  been  in- 
cluded in  the  group  that  gathered  around  the  table. 
Should  the  two  stranger  participants  in  that  seance 
be  now  living,  and  by  any  chance  these  lines  should 
be  read  by  them,  they  will  readily  recall  the  scene, 
and  fully  recognize  the  incident  from  the  re- 
marks that  were  uttered  at  the  time.  I  am  confi- 
dent that  my  services  were  appreciated,  and  that  the 
spiritual  guidance  which  found  utterance  through  my 
lips  was  confirmatory  of  the  plans  which  they  had  al- 
ready prepared.  As  in  this  instance,  so  in  many 
others,  has  this  powerful  aid  been  called  upon  and 
used  to  advantage,  to  further  important  national  and 
personal  interests,  and  accomplish  results  that  sim- 
ple human  knowledge  could  not  achieve. 

Mr.  Lincoln's  fancy  for  poetry  and  song  inclined 
towards  those  melodies  which  appealed  to  his  emo- 
tional nature,  as  is  illustrated  by  his  keen  appreciation 
of  Mrs.  Laurie's  "  Bonnie  Doon^"  and  his  favorite 
poem,  "  Why  Should  the  Spirit  of  Mortal  be  Proud  ?" 
I  remember  hearing  him  refer  to  the  touching  poem 
upon  an  occasion  of  peculiar  interest,  at  which  time  he 


168  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

recited  a  part  of  it,  applying  the  verses  to  the  occa- 
sion in  a  very  pleasant  and  happy  manner.  This 
incident  is  worthy  of  appearing  in  print : — 

One  morning  in  January,  1863,  Mrs.  Laurie  desired 
me  to  go  to  the  White  House  and  inquire  after  Mrs. 
Lincoln's  health.  Mrs.  Laurie  had  visited  Mrs.  Lincoln 
the  previous  day,  and  found  her  prostrated  hy  one  of 
her  severe  headaches.  It  was  about  eleven  o'clock 
when  I  called.  Upon  sending  up  my  name  and  in- 
quiry to  Mrs.  Lincoln,  I  was  requested  to  walk  upstairs 
to  her  rooms,  where  I  found  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lincoln,  a 
gentleman,  and  two  ladies.  I  was  cordially  received 
by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lincoln,  and  presented  to  the  guests, 
whose  names  were  not  mentioned,  and  when  I  noticed 
their  glances,  I  knew  that  they  had  been  told  I  was 
a  "  medmm.'*^  After  explaining  my  errand  and  being 
about  to  withdraw,  Mrs.  Lincoln  asked  whether  I  felt 
equal  to  the  task  of  a  seance.  Noticing  that  all  were 
expectant,  I  signified   my  willingness   and    reseated 

myself. 

After  Mrs.  Lincoln  had  assisted  me  to  remove  my 

wraps,  she  requested  that  the  friends  present  do  the 
same.  They  declined.  Whereupon  the  gentleman, 
who  was  their  escort,  laughingly  remarked,  as  he  indi- 
cated the  lady  nearest  him :  "  It  is  useless  to  urge 
Anna,  Mrs.  Lincoln,  for  she  thinks  she  looks  better  in 
her  new  bonnet."  To  which  Anna  replied,  "That 
she  believed   she   did,  and  felt  very  proud  of  it." 


A  TEST  SEANCE.  169 

Mr.  Lincoln,  who  was  seated,  raised  his  hands  with  a 
comical  gesture,  and  quoted  a  part  of  his  favorite 
poem,  "  Why  Should  the  Spirit  of  Mortal  be  Proud  ?" 
The  gentleman  said,  "  You  are  familiar  with  that 
poem.'*  To  which  the  President  replied,  "  Perfectly  ; 
it  is  a  favorite  of  mine  ;  and,  let  me  ask,  what  could 
be  finer  in  expression  than  the  lines  : — 

"  '  The  maid  on  whose  cheek,  on  whose  brow,  in  whose  eye, 
Shone  beauty  and  pleasure, — her  triumphs  are  by  ; 
And  the  memory  of  those  who  loved  and  praised, 
Are  alike  from  the  minds  of  the  living  erased.'  "* 

Continuing  to  the  line  :  — 
"  Have  quietly  mingled  their  bones  in  the  dust." 

At  this  point  I  became  unconscious,  and  awoke  a 
half  hour  later  to  find  the  company  betraying  much 
emotion,  and  while  recovering  myself,  they  talked 
together  in  low  tones,  and  in  an  animated  manner. 
This  was  interrupted  by  Mr.  Lincoln  rousing  himself 
with  an  effort,  saying :  *'  I  must  go,  and  am  afraid  I 
have  already  stayed  too  long."  Shaking  hands  with 
his  visitors,  he  turned  in  his  kind  way  to  me,  and, 
while  warmly  shaking  my  hand,  said  :  "  I  thank  you, 
Miss  Nettie,  for  obliging  us  ;  we  have  deeply  enjoyed 
our  little  circle."  As  he  left  the  room,  the  others 
expressed  the  same  sentiment ;  and  as  I  was  prepar- 

*  The  reader  will  note  the  especial  appropriateness  of  the 
poetical  sally  on  the  part  of  IMr.  Lincoln. 


170  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

ing  to  don  mj  bonnet  and  shawl,  Mrs.  Lincoln  re- 
quested me  to  wait.  She  rang  the  bell  for  the  servant, 
who  soon  after  returned  with  two  beautiful  bouquets, 
one  of  which  she  said  was  for  Mrs.  Laurie,  the  other 
for  myself.  The  party  then  shook  hands  with  me, 
rising  as  they  did  so.  I  was  treated  by  them  with 
the  same  courtesy  as  would  have  been  offered  any 
friend  or  old  acquaintance.  The  following  poem  is  the 
entire  text  of  the  part  quoted  by  Mr.  Lincoln  on  this 
occasion : — 

OH  I  WHY  SHOULD  THE  SPIRIT  OF  MORTAL 

BE  PROUD  ? 

Oh  !  why  should  the  spirit  of  mortal  be  proud  ? 
Like  a  swift-fleeting  meteor,  a  fast-flying  cloud, 
A  flash  of  the  lightning,  a  break  of  the  wave, 
He  passeth  from  life  to  his  rest  in  the  grave. 

The  leaves  of  the  oak  and  the  willow  shall  fade, 
Be  scattered  around,  and  together  be  laid  : 
And  the  young  and  the  old,  and  the  low  and  the  high, 
Shall  moulder  to  dust,  and  together  shall  lie. 

The  infant  a  mother  attended  and  loved  ; 
The  mother  that  infant's  affection  who  proved ; 
The  husband,  that  mother  and  infant  who  blest, — 
Each,  all,  are  away  to  their  dwellings  of  rest. 

[The  maid  on  whose  cheek,  on  whose  brow,  in  whose  eye, 
Shone  beauty  and  pleasure, — her  triumphs  are  by ; 
Ard  the  memory  of  those  who  loved  her  and  praised, 
Are  alike  from  the  minds  of  the  living  erased.] 


A  TEST  SEANCE.  lYl 

The  hand  of  the  king  that  the  sceptre  hath  borne, 
The  brow  of  the  priest  that  the  raitre  hath  worn, 
The  eye  of  the  sage,  and  the  heart  of  the  brave. 
Are  hidden  and  lost  in  the  depths  of  the  grave. 

The  peasant,  whose  lot  was  to  sow  and  to  reap, 
The  herdsman,  who  climbed  with  his  goats  up  the  steep, 
The  beggar,  who  wandered  in  search  of  his  bread, 
Have  faded  away  like  the  grass  that  we  tread. 

[The  saint,  who  enjoyed  the  communion  of  Heaven, 
The  sinner,  who  dared  to  remain  unforgiven, 
The  wise  and  the  foolish,  the  guilty  and  just. 
Have  quietly  mingled  their  bones  in  the  dust.] 

So  the  multitude  goes — like  the  flower  or  the  weed 
That  withers  away  to  let  others  succeed ; 
So  the  multitude  comes — even  those  we  behold, 
To  repeat  every  tale  that  has  often  been  told. 

For  we  are  the  same  our  fathers  have  been ; 
We  see  the  same  sights  our  fathers  have  seen ; 
We  drink  the  same  stream,  we  view  the  same  sun, 
And  run  the  same  course  our  fathers  have  run. 

The  thoughts  we  are  thinking,  our  fathers  would  think  ; 
From  the  death  we  are  shrinking,  our  fathers  would  shrink ; 
To  the  life  we  are  clinging,  they  also  would  cling  ; — 
But  it  speeds  from  us  all  like  a  bird  on  the  wing. 

They  loved — but  the  story  we  cannot  unfold  ; 
They  scorned — but  the  heart  of  the  haughty  is  cold  ; 
They  grieved — but  no  wail  from  their  slumber  will  come; 
They  joyed — but  the  tongue  of  their  gladness  is  dumb. 

They  died — ay,  they  died  ; — we  things  that  are  now, 
That  walk  on  the  turf  that  lies  over  their  brow. 
And  make  in  their  dwellinirs  a  transient  abode. 
Meet  the  things  that  they  met  on  their  pilgrimage  road. 


172  .         WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

Yea !  hope  and  despondency,  pleasure  and  pain, 
Are  mingled  together  in  sunshine  and  rain ; 
And  the  smile  and  the  tear,  the  song  and  the  dirge, 
Still  follow  each  other,  like  surge  upon  surge. 

'Tis  the  wink  of  an  eye — 'tis  the  draught  of  a  breath — 
From  the  blossom  of  health  to  the  paleness  of  death. 
From  the  gilded  saloon  to  the  bier  and  the  shroud : — 
Oh  !  why  should  the  spirit  of  mortal  be  proud  ? 

William  Knox. 


UNTIL  MY  WORK  IS  DONE.  173 


CHAPTER  XYIII. 

UNTIL   MY   WORK   IS   DONE. 

I  go  home  for  a  time — The  meetings  at  Great  Barrington  and 
some  old  camDaign  recollections — I  address  the  audience — 
We  return  again  to  AVashington — Major  Chorpenning  and 
their  home — I  meet  many  well-known  people  there — I  re- 
ceive dispatch  from  home — We  go  to  .J;he  White  House — I 
didn't  catch  her,  did  I  ? — I  don't  think  the  knife  is  made  or 
the  bullet  run  that  will  reach  me — Never  again  did  we  meet 
his  welcome  smile. 

I  LECTURED  occasionallj  during  the  summer,  and 
in  the  fall,  near  the  close  of  the  presidential  cam- 
paign of  that  year  (1864),  found  myself  in  New 
Boston,  Mass.,  visiting  old  friends,  and  speaking  for 
them  every  Sunday.  Even  in  that  quiet  village, 
political  excitement  ran  high,  and  both  parties  had 
arranged  for  a  meeting  in  the  town  hall,  where  I  was 
accustomed  to  speak ;  the  Democrats  occupying  the 
first  evening,  the  Republicans  the  evening  following. 
The  town  hall  was  packed  with  an  excited  and  in- 
terested crowd  on  both  occasions.  The  first  evening 
a  Democratic  lawyer  from  Great  Barrington  occupied 
the  platform.  His  speech  consisted  of  story-telling, 
ridicule,  and  abuse  of  the  government ;  but  I  was  in- 


174  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALLSr? 

formed  that  he  was  far  more  temperate  in  his  language 
than  it  was  his  custom  to  be,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the 
rumor  had  gone  abroad,  I  know  not  how,  that  I  was 
a  member  of  the  ''  Loyal  League,"  and  that  he  was 
in  danger  of  being  reported  if  he  carried  his  vitupera- 
tion too  far.  I  did  take  a  few  notes  during  the  even- 
ing of  his  derisive  stories,  but  only  to  refresh  my 
memory  regarding  them,  and  this  fact,  which  I  did 
not  conceal,  doubtless  strengthened  his  supposition. 
I  noticed  that  he  watched  me  closely,  but  I  had  no 
idea  of  the  cause.  My  Republican  friends  informed 
me  afterwards  that  my  innocent  occupation  was  a 
healthy  check  upon  his  tongue,  which  they  informed 
me  had  never  before  scrupled  to  use  to  give  vent  to 
the  strongest  and  worst  epithets  he  was  capable  of 
coining  against  President  Lincoln.  As  it  was,  he 
kept  the  audience  in  a  good  humor,  and  for  a  man  of 
his  sort  and  the  exciting  period  in  which  he  spoke,  he 
was  in  a  measure  temperate  in  language.  I  do  not 
now  recall  his  name.  The  following  evening  Henry 
L.  Dawes,  member  of  Congress  from  Massachusetts, 
and  a  stanch  Republican,  spoke  to  the  same  immense 
audience.  He  told  but  one  stoi-y  during  the  entire 
two  hours  occupied  by  his  address,  and  this  was  at 
the  outset  of  his  remarks,  and  was  as  follows :  He 
said  there  was  once  a  man  who  had  a  very  vicious 
and  destructive  dog,  that  became  so  annoying  both  to 
himself  and  his  neighbors,  that  he  had  to  kill  him  ; 


UNTIL  MY  WORK  IS  DONE.  175 

and  after  killing  the  dog  then  commenced  kicking  his 
carcass  about  the  neighborhood,  beating  it  continually, 
until  his  neighbors  protested,  saying, ''  You  have  killed 
the  dog  and  he  has  paid  tlie  penalty  of  his  wrong-doing 
by  his  death."  "  Why  not  bury  him  and  let  that  end 
it  ?"  He  replied  he  was  kicking  and  beating  him  for 
the  benefit  of  other  doi^s  who  mi^ht  be  inclined  to 
follow  his  example,  and  to  let  them  know  there  was 
punishment  after  death.  "  I  am  here  to-night,"  said 
Mr.  Dawes,  "  for  a  similar  purpose."  "  The  results  of 
this  campaign  are  a  foregone  conclusion."  "  The  Demo- 
cratic party  is  dead,  and  will  receive  a  proper  burial 
at  the  coming  election,  but  lest  there  should  be  some 
Democrats  ignorant  of  that  fact,  and  inclined  to  follow 
the  vicious  ways  of  the  party,  I  am  here  to  say  to 
them,  that  in  their  case,  also,  there  is  punishment 
after  death." 

When  the  laughter  and  applause  had  subsided,  he 
entered  upon  the  real  business  of  the  hour,  and  never 
had  I  heard  the  causes  of  the  frightful  war  through 
which  we  were  passing,  but  which  was  then  fortunately 
drawing  to  a  close,  and  the  issues  that  had  given  rise 
to  it,  so  clearly  and  ably  presented.  He  held  the 
audience  in  breathless  attention  by  his  dispassionate 
presentation  of  the  facts,  sustained  by  overwhelming 
proofs,  never  once  descending  to  personalities,  while 
his  periods  were  rounded  with  such  eloquent  outbursts 
of  patriotic  fervor  as  awakened  the  wildest  enthusiasm. 


176  WAS  LIXCOLN  A  SPIPdTUALISll 

When  Mr.  Dawes  had  finished  his  able  and  eloquent 
address,  the  chairman  of  the  meeting,  who  was  also 
the  president  of  our  Spiritualist  Society,  asked  hira  if 
he  had  any  objections  to  my  occupying  the  rostrum 
with  him  and  addressing  the  company.  With  the 
courtesy  that  ever  characterized  him,  he  answered  in 
the  negative,  and  when  I  was  introduced  to  him  he 
recognized  me,  having  met  me  in  Washington.  I  felt 
it  an  honor,  indeed,  to  be  permitted  to  speak  from  the 
same  platform  with  that  able  orator,  for  it  was,  indeed, 
one  of  the  proudest  moments  of  my  life.  The  au- 
dience sang  a  ringing  campaign  song,  when  I  became 
entranced  and  addressed  the  audience  for  about  fif- 
teen minutes.  The  spirit  controlling  me  stated  in 
substance,  as  I  was  afterwards  informed,  that  he 
had  nothing  to  add  to  what  had  already  been  spoken, 
beyond  predicting,  with  unerring  certainty,  that 
Abraham  Lincoln  would  be  re-elected  at  the  coming 
national  election.  I  awoke  amid  the  applause  of  the 
audience,  and  Mr.  Dawes  congratulated  me  in  his 
kind  way  upon  the  manner  in  which  I  had  been  in- 
strumental in  closinor  the  evenino-'s  exercises.  This 
pleasant  incident  may  have  passed  from  his  recollec- 
tion, but  it  stands  out  distinctly  in  my  own,  and  while 
the  president  of  the  meeting  passed  away  two  years 
ago,  his  wife  and  son,  with  many  others  who  are  now 
livino:,  will  bear  testimony  to  its  truth. 

A  few  weeks  later  found  us  again  in  Washington 


UNTIL  MY  WORK  IS  DONE.  177 

City,  in  response  to  urgent  solicitations  on  the  part  of 
friends,  and  we  were  the  guests  of  Major  Chorpenning 
and  his  wife.     Major  George   Chorpenning  was  the 
first  man  to  carry  the  United  States  mail  across  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  from  Salt  Lake  City  to  San  Fran- 
cisco, under  a  contract  with  our  government,  which  he 
had  entered  into  many  years  previous  to  the  time  of 
which  I  am  speaking,  and  which  was  annulled  through 
the  false  representations  of  enemies,  who  coveted,  and 
finally  obtained,  his  position.     When  I  first  met  him, 
he  was  engaged  in  vigorously  prosecuting  his  claim 
against  the  government  for  damages  sustained  by  the 
annulment  of  his  contract.      He   was  generous  and 
hospitable  to  a  fault,  while  his  wife,  a  brilliant  society 
lady,  entertained  in  a  manner  that  insured  the  accept- 
ance of  their  invitations.     A  brilliant  company  assem- 
bled in  their  parlors  once  a  week,  and  the  evenings 
were   always   very  enjoyable.     Nearly  every   recep- 
tion, by  unanimous  request,  was  turned  into  a  spiritual 
circle,  and   I  here   met  many  gentlemen  from  both 
branches  of  Congress,  among  whom  were  Mr.  Eben 
Ino^ersoU  and   Mr.  John   F.    Farnsworth,  of  Illinois 
(Rep.  35th  Congress),  Mr,  Henry  L.  Dawes,  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  many  others,  whose  names  I  cannot  now 
recall.     To  their  honor  be  it  said,  the  gentlemen  I 
have  named  were  never  associated  with  any  of  the 
scandals  with  which  Washington  society  was  rife,  and 
I  have  always  heard  them  named  with  respect,  and 
12 


178  W^^S  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

mentioned  as  above  reproach,  both  as  to  their  public 
and  private  life.  This  was  the  truth  also  of  many 
others. 

Time  and  sickness  have  impaired  my  memory  to 
such  an  extent  that  although  I  can  recall  the  faces  and 
manner  of  many  whom  I  met,  I  cannot  accurately  place 
them.  They  seemed  to  keenly  enjoy  the  circles  they 
attended,  while  the  major's  violin  and  his  wife's  beau- 
tiful singing  added  greatly  to  the  charm  of  the  even- 
ings. Refreshments  were  usually  served  at  a  late 
hour. 

These  pleasant  social  gatherings  are  among  the 
'most  plesant  memories  of  my  Washington  experiences. 
Tuesday  afternoons  we  usually  attended  Mrs.  Lin- 
coln's receptions,  often  meeting  there  the  ladies  and 
gentlemen  who  graced  our  own.  It  was  during  this 
memorable  winter  of  '64  and  ^'ob^  when  the  Rebel- 
lion was  in  its  death-throes,  that  I  knew  of  the  visits 
of  Charles  Colchester  and  Charles  Foster  (two  well- 
known  mediums  of  that  time)  to  the  White  House, 
and  of  their  sittincrs  with  President  Lincoln.  Throuorh 
them  and  throuo-h  myself,  he  received  warnincrs  of  his 
approaching  fate  ;  but  his  fearless,  confident  nature 
disregarded  the  warnings  he  received.  It  was  during 
the  last  days  of  February,  when  the  city  was  being 
filled  to  its  utmost  capacity  by  people  from  all  parts  of 
the  country,  to  witness  the  second  inauguration  of 
President  Lincoln,  that  I  received  a  dispatch  from  my 


UNTIL  MY  WORK  IS  DONE.  I79 

home  telling  me  my  father  was  dangerously  ill,  and  to 
come  to  him  at  once.  Having  an  appointment  at  the 
White  House  for  the  following  week,  I  hastened  with 
my  friend.  Miss  Hannum,  to  the  Executive  Mansion  to 
inform  Mrs.  Lincoln  of  the  necessity  that  called  me 
away.  She  was  out,  and  we  proceeded  upstairs  to  the 
anteroom,  adjacent  to  Mr.  Lincoln's  office,  hoping  for 
a  last  word  with  him.  It  was  two  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, and  during  the  last  days  of  the  expiring  Con- 
gress, and  the  waiting-room  was  filled  with  members 
from  both  Houses,  all  anxious  to  get  a  word  with  the 
President.  Mr.  Ingersoll  and  a  number  of  others  I 
knew  were  there,  and  it  seemed  doubtful  of  our  obtain- 
ing an  interview.  Mr.  Ingersoll  smilingly  asked,  "  If 
I  expected  to  have  an  interview  with  Mr.  Lincoln."  I 
replied,  "  I  hope  so,  as  1  am  about  to  leave  the  city." 
He  remarked,  he  feared  it  was  doubtful,  as  he  and 
many  others  had  been  waiting  many  hours  for  a  chance 
to  speak  with  him  and  had  failed.  Edward,  the 
faithful  and  devoted  usher  of  the  White  House,  was 
passing  to  and  fro  taking  in  cards  to  Mr.  Lincoln's 
office.  Calling  him  to  me,  I  explained  that  I  wished 
to  see  the  President  for  one  brief  moment,  to  explain 
why  I  could  not  keep  my  engagement  the  following 
week ;  and  giving  him  my  card,  bade  him  w^atch  for 
an  opportunity  when  Mr.  Lincoln  would  be  parting 
from  those  that  were  with  him,  and  then  place  my 


180  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

card  in  his  hand,  telling  him  I  would  detain  him  but 
an  instant. 

Half  an  hour  went  by,  when  Edward  approached 
and  bade  us  follow  him.  Mr.  Ingersoll,  with  whom 
we  had  been  talking,  bade  us  laughingly  to  speak  a 
good  word  for  him,  and  we  were  soon  ushered  into 
Mr.  Lincoln's  presence.  He  stood  at  his  table,  busily- 
looking  over  some  papers,  but  laid  them  down  and 
greeted  us  with  his  usual  genial  smile.  In  as  few 
words  as  possible,  knowing  how  precious  was  his  time, 
we  informed  him  of  the  cause  of  our  unseasonable  call, 
stating  I  had  been  summoned  home  by  a  telegram  tell- 
ing me  my  father  was  dangerously  ill.  Looking  at 
me  with  a  quizzical  smile,  he  said,  "But  cannot  our 
friends  from  the  upper  country  tell  you  whether  his 
illness  is  likely  to  prove  fatal  or  not  ?"  I  replied  that 
I  had  already  consulted  with  our  friends,  and  they 
had  assured  me  that  his  treatment  was  wrong,  and 
that  my  presence  was  needed  to  effect  a  cure.  Turn- 
ing to  my  friend,  he  said  laughingly,  "  I  didn't  catch 
her,  did  I  ?"  Then  turning  to  me  he  said,  "  I  am 
sorry  you  cannot  remain  to  witness  the  inauguration, 
as  no  doubt  you  wish."  "  Indeed  we  would  enjoy  it," 
I  replied,  "  but  the  crowd  will  be  so  great  we  will  not 
be  able  to  see  you,  Mr.  Lincoln,  even  if  we  remain." 
*'  You  could  not  help  it,"  he  answered,  drawing  his 
tall  figure  to  its  full  height,  and  glancing  at  my  friend 
in  an  amused  way,  "  I  shall  be  the  tallest  man  there." 


^  "  Then  turning  to  me  he  said,  '  I  am  sorry  you  cannot  remain  to  witness 
the  inauguration,  as  no  doubt  you  wish.'  'Indeed  we  would  enjoy  it,'  I 
replied,  '  but  the  crowd  will  be  so  great  we  will  not  be  able  to  see  you,  Mr. 
lyincoln,  even  if  we  remain.'  'You  could  not  help  it,'  he  answered,  drawing 
his  tall  figure  to  its  full  height,  and  glancing  at  mv  friend  in  an  amused  wav, 
•  I  shall  be  the  tallest  man  there.'  "—Page  i8o. 


UNTIL  MY  WORK  IS  DONE.  181 

"  That  is  true,"  my  friend  responded,  "  in  every 
sense  of  the  word."  He  nodded  pleasantly  at  the 
compliment,  and  then  turning  to  me  remarked,  "  But 
what  do  our  friends  say  of  us  now  ?"  "  What  they 
predicted  for  you,  Mr.  Lincoln,  has  come  to  pass," 
I  answered,  "  and  you  are  to  be  inaugurated  the 
second  time."  He  nodded  his  head  and  I  continued, 
"  But  they  also  re-affirm  that  the  shadow  they  have 
spoken  of  still  hangs  over  you."  He  turned  half  im- 
patiently away  and  said,  "  Yes,  I  know.  I  have 
letters  from  all  over  the  country  from  your  kind  of 
people — mediums,  I  mean — warning  me  against  some 
dreadful  plot  against  my  life.  But  I  don't  think 
the  knife  is  made,  or  the  bullet  run,  that  will  reach  it. 
Besides  nobody  wants  to  harm  me."  A  feeling  of 
sadness  that  I  could  not  conceal  nor  account  for  came 
over  me  and  I  said,  "  Therein  lies  your  danger,  Mr. 
Lincoln — your  over-confidence  in  your  fellow-men." 
The  old  melancholy  look  that  had  of  late  seemed 
lifted  from  his  face  now  fell  over  it,  and  he  said  in  his 
subdued  quiet  way,  ''  Well,  Miss  Nettie,  I  shall  live 
till  my  work  is  done,  and  no  earthly  power  can  pre- 
vent it.  And  then  it  doesn't  matter  so  that  I  am 
ready — and  that  I  ever  mean  to  be."  Brightening 
again  he  extended  a  hand  to  each  of  us  saying,  "  Well, 
I  suppose  I  must  bid  you  good-by,  but  we  shall  hope 
to  see  you  back  again  next  fall."  "  We  shall  certainly 
come,"  we  replied,  "^/  you  are  Jiere^''  without  think- 


182  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

ing  of  the  doubts  our  words  implied.  "  It  looks  like 
it  now,"  he  answered,  and  walking  with  us  to  a  side 
door,  with  another  cordial  shake  of  the  hand,  we 
passed  out  of  his  presence  for  the  last  time.  Never 
again  would  we  meet  his  welcome  smile. 

"  He  perished  ere  the  hand  of  peace 
Had  rolled  war's  curtain  from  the  sky; 
But  he  shall  live  when  wrong  shall  cease ; 
The  great  and  good  can  never  die." 


THE  MAN  LINCOLN.  183 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE    MAN    LINCOLN. 

A  Personal  Description  of  President  Abraham  Lincoln  and 

his  Peculiarities. 

LOOKING  back  upon  those  years  of  terrible 
struggle,  Lincoln  stands  out  in  golden  colors  as 
the  central  figure  of  all  persons  whom  I  have  ever 
met,  and  in  my  more  mature  judgment  was  repre- 
sentative of  all  that  was  good  and  great  among  our 
common  humanity. 

If  he  was  not  great  in  those  qualities  which  made  a 
Cicero  or  a  Webster,  he  was  great  in  that  supreme 
goodness  that  allied  him  alike  to  the  most  brilliant 
minds  of  his  time  and  the  common  people,  to  whose 
sorrows  and  necessities  he  was  ever  ready  to  listen. 

His  countenance  in  repose  always  struck  the  be- 
holder as  sad  and  expressive,  which  sadness  his  rare 
kindly  smile  could  not  wholly  obliterate.  I  have 
watched  him  when  listening  to  views  and  opinions 
presented  by  members  of  his  Cabinet,  both  in  the 
Executive  chamber  and  in  the  parlor  of  the  White 
House,  also  while  in  conversation  with  foreign  minis- 
ters and  men  prominent  in  social  and  business  circles, 
•with  men  older  and  younger  than  himself,  and  in  each 


184  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

and  every  instance  his  manner  was  marked  by  a  gen- 
tleness and  courtesy  of  demeanor,  that  could  not  fail 
to  flatter  the  recipient,  while  the  alert  and  clear  ex- 
pression of  his  eyes  indicated  that  he  lost  no  part  in 
the  conversation,  nor  failed  to  thoroughly  understand  it. 
He  listened  more  than  he  talked  upon  these  occa- 
sions, and  he  was  wont  to  express  much  in  a  few 
words,  and  if  compelled  to  refuse  a  portion  of  the 
many  petitions  which  were  daily  presented  to  him,  the 
manner  of  refusal  was  apparently  so  tinged  with 
regret  of  the  fact  that  duty  and  inclination  would  not 
harmonize,  that  he  seemed  to  have  granted  the  favor 
he  was  compelled  to  deny.  He  was  especially 
thoughtful  of  the  feelings  of  the  common  people,  from 
whom  he  sprang.  Never  was  this  thoughtfulness 
more  forcibly  illustrated  than  upon  an  occasion  of  a 
public  reception  given  at  the  White  House  during  the 
winter  of  1865,  at  which  myself  and  friend  attended. 
After  greeting  the  President  on  our  passing  him,"  on 
our  way  to  the  Blue  room,  at  the  entrance  of  which  he 
was  standing,  we  took  up  our  place  to  the  right  of 
Mrs.  Lincoln,  who  was  surrounded  by  a  bevy  of  ladies 
who  usually  assisted  at  those  receptions,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  watching  the  throng  of  visitors  who  were 
entering  and  passing  on  their  way  to  the  East  room. 
Mr.  Lincoln's  manner  was  attentive,  as  his  duty  of 
host  required,  but  I  noticed  that  as  men  of  fashion  in 
faultless  costume  and  bedecked  with  jewels  greeted 


THE  MAN  LINCOLN.  185 

him,  his  handshake  was  mechanical  and  his  glance 
indifferent,  and  he  scarcely  noticed  them.  But  if  a 
boy  in  blue  entered,  or  a  laboring  man,  whose  un- 
gloved hand  was  timidly  offered  in  greeting,  he  earn- 
estly met  the  offer,  and  giving  the  hard  hand  a  hearty 
shake,  added  a  cheery  word  and  kindly  smile,  which 
was  quickly  reflected  on  the  face  of  his  humble  visitor, 
who  walked  away  with  prouder  mien  and  bolder  step, 
as  he  wended  his  way  through  the  mixed  assemblage 
that  jostled  toward  the  exit. 

On  the  occasion  of  these  public  receptions  Mr. 
Lincoln  always  appeared  well  dressed  in  the  regula- 
tion evening  costume  of  black,  his  clothing  seemed  well 
fitting  and  his  general  appearance  that  of  dignity  and 
self-command.  At  other  times  when  I  have  met  him, 
both  in  his  office  and  in  other  rooms  of  the  White 
House,  he  impressed  me  as  being  indifferent  to  his 
apparel,  his  clothing  at  times  being  decidedly  seedy- 
looking,  and  it  may  be  added  that  at  these  meetings 
he  seemed  encompassed  and  imbued  with  a  pre-occu- 
pied  state  of  mind  that  forcibly  impressed  itself  upon 
the  memory  of  the  on-looker  as  indicating  great  mental 
oppression,  thought  and  care,  plainly  saying,  "  I  am 
wholly  the  agent  of  a  special  purpose,  and  the  servant 
of  a  condition  that  is  not  mine,  but  for  the  good  of  all 
whom  I  serve."  He  never  seemed  to  have  an  idle 
moment,  nor  did  he  ever  appear  to  relax  his  manner 
of  reserve,  nor  give  way  to   excessive  mirthfulness, 


186  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

even  at  a  time  when  witty  sayings  were  a  part  of  the 
conversation.  Rather  would  he  smile  in  sympathy 
with  those  around  him,  showing  that  he  was  in  accord 
with  them,  indicating  that  his  mind  was  so  fully  occu- 
pied with  the  cares  of  the  Nation,  that  he  could  not 
enter  into  the  spirit  of  the  hour.  In  such  instances 
those  present  could  not  but  feel  that  he  was  with  them, 
but  not  of  them.  When  I  recall  his  manner,  conver- 
sation and  conduct  at  these  various  meetings,  the  feel- 
ing impresses  itself  upon  me  that  he  remained  in  the 
presence  of  his  friends  a  sufficient  time  to  absorb  the 
information  which  they  could  impart,  and  so  long  as 
they  could  occupy  and  hold  his  interest,  he  felt  a 
special  desire  for  their  company,  but  that  a  precedence 
of  friendship  was  in  favor  of  those  only  who  could 
maintain  this  interest.  This  quality  of  absorbing  in- 
formation was,  I  am  inclined  to  believe,  more  a  mental 
equipment  of  him  as  a  man,  than  a  quality  in  him  as  a 
ruler.  Lincoln  lived  and  acted  at  a  time,  and  under 
circumstances,  without  a  parallel  in  the  history  of 
nations,  and  by  the  common  standard  with  which 
ordinary  men  are  judged  he  cannot  be  justly  measured. 
He  was  "  of  the  time"  because  its  chief  actor,  and . 
"  for  the  time"  because  he  created  its  results. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  all  my  meetings 
with  Mr.  Lincoln  were  at  periods  of  special  import, 
and  upon  occasions  when  he  was  in  need  of  aid  and 
direction.     After  the  "  circles,"  which  he  attended, 


THE  MAN  LINCOLN.  187 

he  invariably  left  with  a  brighter  and  happier  look, 
evidencing  the  benefit  in  part  which  he  experienced 
from  that  which  had  been  imparted  to  him. 

My  friend,  Francis  B.  Carpenter,  who  resided  for 
some  time  at  the  White  House,  and  who  painted  that 
beautiful  historical  work,  "  The  Emancipation  Procla- 
mation," and  also  the  last  portrait  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln from  life  (a  copy  of  which  forms  the  frontispiece 
of  this  volume),  has  written  a  series  of  charming 
reminiscences  of  his  experiences  and  personal  contact 
with  Mr.  Lincoln  in  which  will  be  found  many  very 
beautiful  thoughts. 

The  truth  and  accuracy  of  his  observations  and 
statements  certainly  make  them  as  valuable  to  us  to- 
day as  any  reminiscences  that  are  left  as  a  legacy  of 
the  past.  By  his  permission  a  few  of  these  thoughts 
are  subjoined : — 

"  Much  has  been  said  and  written,  since  Mr.  Lincoln's 
death,  in  regard  to  his  religious  experience  and  char- 
acter. Two  or  three  stories  have  been  published, 
bearing  upon  this  point,  which  I  have  never  been  able 
to  trace  to  a  reliable  source  ;  and  I  feel  impelled  to 
state  my  belief  that  the  facts  in  the  case — if  there 
were  such — have  received  in  some  way  an  unwar- 
ranted embellishment.  Of  all  men  in  the  world,  the 
late  President  was  the  most  unaffected  and  truthful, 
lie  rarely  or  never  used  language  loosely  or  carelessly, 
or  for  the  sake  of  compliment.     lie  was  the  most  in- 


188  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

different  to  the  effect  he  was  producing,  either  upon 
official  representatives  or  the  common  people,  of  any 
man  ever  in  public  position. 

"  In  the  ordinary  acceptation  of  the  term,  I  would 
scarcely  have  called  Mr.  Lincoln  a  religious  man — 
and  yet  I  believe  him  to  have  been  a  sincere  Christian. 
A  constitutional  tendency  to  dwell  upon  sacred  things, 
an  emotional  nature  which  finds  ready  expression  in 
religious  conversation  and  revival  meetings,  the  cul- 
ture and  development  of  the  devotional  element  till 
the  expression  of  such  thought  and  experience  becomes 
habitual,  were  not  among  his  characteristics.  Doubt- 
less he  felt  as  deeply  upon  the  great  questions  of  the 
soul  and  eternity  as  any  other  thoughtful  man ;  but 
the  very  tenderness  and  humility  of  his  nature  would 
not  permit  the  exposure  of  his  inmost  convictions,  ex- 
cept upon  the  rarest  occasions,  and  to  his  most  intimate 
friends.  And  yet,  aside  from  emotional  expression,  I 
believe  no  man  had  a  more  abiding  sense  of  his  de- 
pendence upon  God,  or  faith  in  the  Divine  govern- 
ment, and  in  the  power  and  ultimate  triumph  of  Truth 
and  Right  in  the  world.  The  Rev.  J.  P.  Thompson, 
of  New  York,  in  an  admirable  discourse  upon  the  life 
and  character  of  the  departed  President,  very  justly 
observed :  '  It  is  not  necessary  to  appeal  to  apocry- 
phal stories — which  illustrate  as  much  the  assurance 
of  his  visitors  as  the  simplicity  of  his  faith — for  proof 
of  Mr.  Lincoln's  Christian  character.'     If  his  daily 


THE  MAN  LINCOLN.  189 

life  and  various  public  addresses  and  writings  do  not 
show  this,  surely  nothing  can  demonstrate  it." 


"  After  further  reference  to  a  belief  in  Divine 
Providence,  and  the  fact  of  God  in  history,  the  con- 
versation turned  upon  prayer.  He  freely  stated  his 
belief  in  the  duty,  privilege  and  efficacy  of  prayer, 
and  intimated,  in  no  unmistakable  terms,  that  he  had 
sought  in  that  way  the  Divine  guidance  and  favor. 
The  effect  of  this  conversation  upon  the  mind  of  Mr. 
Bateman,  a  Christian  gentleman  whom  Mr.  Lincoln 
profoundly  respected,  was  to  convince  him  that  Mr. 
Lincoln  had,  in  his  quiet  way,  found  a  path  to  the 
Christian  standpoint — that  he  had  found  God,  and 
rested  on  the  eternal  truth  of  God.  As  the  two  men 
were  about  to  separate,  Mr.  Bateman  remarked:  '  I 
have  not  supposed  that  you  were  accustomed  to  think 
so  much  upon  this  class  of  subjects  ;  certainly  your 
friends  generally  are  ignorant  of  the  sentiments  you 
have  expressed  to  me.'  He  replied  quickly  :  '  I  know 
they  are,  but  I  think  more  on  these  subjects  than  upon 
all  others,  and  I  have  done  so  for  years ;  and  I  am 
willing  you  should  know  it.' 


)  J) 


"  The  President  was  a  man  of  deep  convictions,  of 
abiding  faith  in  justice,  truth  and  Providence.  His 
voice  was  pleasant,  his  manner  earnest  and  emphatic. 
As  he  warmed  with  his  theme,  his  mind  grew  to  the 


190  ^^S  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

magnitude  of  his  body.  I  felt  I  was  in  the  presence 
of  the  o^reat  o^uidino;  intellect  of  the  acre,  and  that  those 
'  huo^e  Atlantean  shoulders  were  fit  to  bear  the  weic^ht 
of  mightiest  monarchies.'  His  transparent  honesty, 
republican  simplicity,  his  gushing  sympathy  for  those 
who  offered  their  lives  for  their  country,  his  utter  for- 
getfulness  of  self  in  his  concern  for  its  welfare,  could 
not  but  inspire  me  with  confidence  that  he  was  Heaven's 
instrument  to  conduct  his  people  through  this  sea  of 
blood  to  a  Canaan  of  peace  and  freedom." 


"  On  an  occasion  I  shall  never  forget,"  said  the 
Hon.  H.  C.  Deming,  of  Connecticut,  "  the  conversa- 
tion turned  upon  religious  subjects,  and  Mr.  Lincoln 
made  this  impressive  remark :  '  I  have  never  united 
myself  to  any  church,  because  I  have  found  difficulty 
in  giving  my  assent,  without  mental  reservation,  to 
the  long,  complicated  statements  of  Christian  doctrine 
which  characterize  their  Articles  of  Belief  and  Con- 
fessions of  Faith.  When  any  church  will  inscribe 
over  its  altar,  as  its  sole  qualification  for  membership,' 
he  continued,  '  the  Saviour's  condensed  statement  of 
the  substance  of  both  Law  and  Gospel,  "  Thou  shalt 
love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all 
thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind,  and  thy  neighbor  as 
thyself,"  that  church  will  I  join  with  all  my  heart  and 
soul.'  " 


THE  MAX  LIXCOLX.  191 

" '  Mr.  Bateman,  I  am  not  a  Christian — God  knows  I 
■would  be  one — but  I  have  carefullv  read  the  Bible, 
and  I  do  not  so  understand  this  book ;'  and  he  drew 
forth  a  pocket  Xew  Testament.  '  These  men  well 
know,'  he  continued,  '  that  I  am  for  freedom  in  the 
Territories,  freedom  everywhere  as  free  as  the  Con- 
stitution and  the  laws  will  permit,  and  that  my  oppo- 
nents are  for  slavery.  They  liiiow  this,  and  yet,  with 
this  book  in  their  hands,  in  the  light  of  which  human 
bondage  cannot  live  a  moment,  they  are  going  to  vote 
against  me  :  I  do  not  understand  it  at  all.' 

"Here  Mr.  Lincoln  paused — paused  for  long 
minutes — his  features  surcharged  with  emotion.  Then 
he  rose  and  walked  up  and  down  the  reception-room 
in  the  effort  to  retain  or  regain  his  self-possession. 
Stopping  at  last,  he  said,  with  a  trembling  voice  and 
his  cheeks  wet  with  tears :  '  I  know  there  is  a  God, 
and  that  He  hates  injustice  and  slavery.  I  see  the 
storm  coming,  and  I  know  that  his  hand  is  in  it.  If 
He  has  a  place  and  work  for  me — and  I  think  He  has 
— I  believe  I  am  ready.  I  am  nothing,  but  Truth  is 
evervthin^.  I  know  I  am  ricrht,  because  I  know  that 
liberty  is  right,  for  Christ  teaches  it,  and  Christ  is 
God.  I  have  told  them  that  a  house  divided  against 
itself  cannot  stand  :  and  Christ  and  reason  say  the 
same  ;  and  they  will  find  it  so.' 

"  '  Douglas  don't  care  whether  slavery  is  voted  up 
or  down,  but  God  cares,  and  humanity  cares,  and  I 


192  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTS 

care  ;  and  with  God's  help  I  shall  not  fail.  I  may 
not  see  the  end ;  but  it  will  come,  and  I  shall  be  vin- 
dicated ;  and  these  men  will  find  that  they  have  not 
read  their  Bibles  aright.'  " 


In  the  spring  of  1862,  the  President  spent  several 
days  at  Fortress  Monroe,  awaiting  military  operations 
upon  the  Peninsula.  As  a  portion  of  the  Cabinet  were 
with  him,  that  was  temporarily  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment, and  he  bore  with  him  constantly  the  burden  of 
public  affairs.  His  favorite  diversion  was  reading 
Shakespeare.  One  day  (it  chanced  to  be  the  day 
before  the  capture  of  Norfolk),  as  he  sat  reading  alone, 
he  called  to  his  aide  (Colonel  Le  Grand  B.  Cannon, 
of  General  Wool's  staff)  in  the  adjoining  room,  ^'  You 
have  been  writing  long  enough.  Colonel ;  come  in  here. 
I  want  to  read  you  a  passage  in  '  Hamlet.'  "  He  read 
the  discussion  on  ambition  between  Hamlet  and  his 
courtiers,  and  the  soliloquy,  in  which  conscience  de- 
bates of  a  future  state.  This  was  followed  by  pas- 
sages from  "  Macbeth."  Then  opening  to  "  King 
John,"  he  read  from  the  third  act  the  passage  in 
which  Constance  bewails  her  imprisoned,  lost  boy. 

Closing  the  book,  and  recalling  the  words : — 

'*  And,  Father  Cardinal,  I  have  heard  you  say 
That  we  shall  see  and  know  our  friends  in  heaven  : 
If  that  be  true,  I  shall  see  my  boy  again." 


THE  MAN  LINCOLN.  I93 

Mr.  Lincoln  said :  "  Colonel,  did  you  ever  dream  of 
a  lost  friend,  and  feel  that  you  were  holding  sweet 
communion  with  that  friend,  and  yet  have  a  sad  con- 
sciousness that  it  was  not  a  reality  ?  Just  so  I  dream 
of  my  boy  Willie.''  Overcome  with  emotion,  he 
dropped  his  head  on  the  table,  and  sobbed  aloud. 


In  Barrett's  biography  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  it  is  stated 
that  the  first  draft  of  the  Emancipation  Proclamation 
was  written  on  board  of  the  steamboat  returning  from 
his  8th  of  July  visit  to  the  army  at  Harrison's  Land- 
ing. This  circumstance  was  not  included  in  the  state- 
ment given  me,  and  to  others  in  my  presence,  at  dif- 
ferent times ;  but  from  the  known  relations  of  the 
author  with  the  President,  it  is  undoubtedly  true. 
The  original  draft  was  written  upon  one  side  of  four 
half  sheets  of  official  foolscap.  He  flung  down  upon 
the  table  one  day  for  me  several  sheets  of  the  same, 
saying,  "  There,  I  believe,  is  some  of  the  very  paper 
which  was  used — if  not,  it  was,  at  any  rate,  just  like 
it."  The  original  draft  is  dated  September  22, 1862, 
and  was  presented  to  the  Army  Relief  Bazaar,  at 
Albany,  N.  Y.,  in  1864.  It  is  in  the  proper  hand- 
writing of  Mr.  Lincoln,  excepting  two  interlineations 
in  pencil  by  Secretary  Seward,  and  the  formal  head- 
ing and  ending,  which  were  written  by  the  chief  clerk 
of  the  State  Department. 

The  final  Proclamation  was  signed  on  New  Year's 
13 


194  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

Day,  1863.  The  President  remarked  to  Mr.  Colfax, 
the  same  evening,  that  the  signature  appeared  some- 
what tremulous  and  uneven.  "  Not,"  said  he,  "  be- 
cause of  any  uncertainty  or  hesitation  on  my  part ; 
but  it  was  just  after  the  public  reception,  and  three 
hours'  hand-shaking  is  not  calculated  to  improve  a 
man's  chirography."  Then,  changing  his  tone,  he 
added :  "  The  South  had  fair  warning  that  if  they 
did  not  return  to  their  duty,  I  should  strike  at  this 
pillar  of  their  strength.  The  promise  must  now  be 
kept,  and  I  shall  never  recall  one  word." 


Mr.  Chase  told  me  that  at  the  Cabinet  meeting, 
immediately  after  the  battle  of  Antietam,  and  just 
prior  to  the  issue  of  the  September  Proclamation,  the 
President  entered  upon  the  business  before  them  by 
saying  that  ''  the  time  for  the  annunciation  of  the 
emancipation  policy  could  be  no  longer  delayed. 
Public  sentiment,"  he  thought,  "  would  sustain  it — 
many  of  his  warmest  friends  and  supporters  demanded 
it — and  he  had  jjromised  his  Crod  that  he  would  do 
itP''  The  last  part  of  this  was  uttered  in  a  low  tone, 
and  appeared  to  be  heard  by  no  one  but  Secretary 
Chase,  who  was  sitting  near  him.  He  asked  the 
President  if  he  correctly  understood  him.  Mr.  Lin- 
coln replied  :  *'  I  made  a  solemn  vow  before  Grod,  that 
if  General  Lee  was  driven  hack  from  Pennsylvania^ 


THE  MAN  LINCOLN,  I95 

T would  crown  the  result  hy  the  declaration  of  freedom 
0  the  slaves,^ ^ 


It  was  often  a  matter  of  surprise  to  me  how  the 

President  sustained  life  ;  for  it  seemed,  some  weeks, 

IS  though  he  neither  ate  nor  slept.     His  habits  con- 

inued  as  simple  as  when  he  was  a  practising  lawyer 

n   Springfield,  but  thej  came  to  be  very  irregular. 

During  the   months  of  my  intercourse   with   him  he 

rarely  entertained  company  at  dinner.     Almost  daily, 

at  this  hour,  I  met  a  servant  carrying  a  simple  meal 

upon  a  tray  upstairs,  where  it  was  received,  perhaps 

two  hours   later,  in  the  most  unceremonious  manner. 

I  knew  this  irregularity  of  life  was  his  own  fault;  but 

the  wonder  as  to  how  his  system  endured  the  strain 

brought  to  bear  upon  it  was    not   lessened   by  this 

knowledge. 

All  familiar  with  him  will  remember  the  weary  air 
which  became  habitual  during  his  last  years.  This 
was  more  of  the  mand  than  the  body,  and  no  rest  and 
recreation  which  he  allowed  himself  could  relieve  it. 
As  he  sometimes  expressed  it,  the  remedy  "  seemed 
never  to  reach  the  th-ed  spot." 

Mr.  Lincoln's  heiglit  was  six  feet  three  and  three- 
quarter  inches  "  in  his  stocking-feet."  He  stood  up, 
one  day,  at  the  right  of  my  large  canvas,  while  I 
marked  his  exact  height  upon  it. 

His  frame  was  gaunt,  but  sinewy,  and  inclined  to 


196  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

stoop  when  he  walked.  His  head  was  of  full  medium 
size,  with  a  broad  brow,  surmounted  by  rough,  un- 
manageable hair,  which,  he  once  said,  had  "  a  way  of 
getting  up  as  far  as  possible  in  the  world."  Lines  of 
care  ploughed  his  face — the  hollows  in  his  cheeks  and 
under  his  eyes  being  very  marked.  The  mouth  was 
his  plainest  feature,  varying  widely  from  classical 
models — nevertheless,  expressive  of  much  firmness  and 
gentleness  of  character. 

His  complexion  was  inclined  to  sallowness,  though  I 
judged  this  to  be  the  result,  in  part,  of  his  anxious  life 
in  Washington.  His  eyes  were  bluish-gray  in  color — 
always  in  deep  shadow,  however,  from  the  upper  lids, 
which  were  unusually  heavy  (reminding  me,  in  this 
respect,  of  Stuart's  portrait  of  Washington),  and  the 
expression  was  remarkably  pensive  and  tender,  often 
inexpressibly  sad,  as  if  the  reservoir  of  tears  lay  very 
near  the  surface- — a  fact  proved  not  only  by  the  re- 
sponse which  accounts  of  suifering  and  sorrow  invari- 
ably drew  forth,  but  by  circumstances  which  would 
ordinarily  affect  few  men  in  his  position. 


A  few  days  before  the  re-inauguration  of  Mr.  Lin- 
coln, the  Emancipation  picture  was  placed  temporarily 
on  exhibition  in  the  Rotunda  of  the  Capitol.  As  the 
workmen  were  raising  it  to  its  place,  over  the  northern 
door  leading  to  the  Senate  Chamber,  a  group  gathered 
in  front  of  it,  among  whom  was  policeman  R ,  of 


THE  MAN  LINCOLN.  IQJ 

Capitol  Squad.  As  the  painting  reached  its  position, 
a  wandering  sunbeam  crept  in  from  the  top  of  the  great 
dome  and  settled  full  upon  the  head  of  Mr.  Lincoln, 
leaving  all  the  rest  of  the  picture  in  shadow.  The 
effect  was  singular  and  wonderful.  "  Look !"  ex- 
claimed the  enthusiastic  R ,  pointing  to  the  canvas, 

"  that  is  as  it  should  be.  God  bless  him !  may  the 
sun  shine  upon  his  head  forever !" 


Mr.  Lincoln  once  said : — 

*'  So  far  as  I  have  been  able,  so  far  as  came  w^ithin 
my  sphere,  I  have  always  acted  as  I  believed  was 
right  and  just,  and  done  all  I  could  for  the  good  of 
mankind.  I  have,  in  letters  and  documents  sent  forth 
from  this  office,  expressed  myself  better  than  I  can 


now." 


I  am  not  one  of  those  inclined  to  believe  that 
Mr.  Lincoln,  in  the  closing  months  of  his  career, 
reached  the  full  measure  of  his  greatness.  Man  may 
not  read  the  future  ;  but  it  is  my  firm  conviction,  that, 
had  he  lived  through  his  second  term,  he  would  have 
continued  to  grow,  as  he  had  grown,  in  the  estimation 
and  confidence  of  his  countrymen  ;  rising  to  a  grander 
moral  height  with  every  emergency,  careful  always  to 
weigh  every  argument  opposed  to  his  convictions,  but, 
once  mounted  upon  those  convictions,  grounded  in 
righteousness,  as  immovable  as  pne  of  the  giant  ranges 
of  our  own  Rocky  Mountains  ! 


198  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTS 


CHAPTER  XX. 

A  COMICAL    SEANCE. 

A  visit  from  two  sable  contemporaries — The  lost  money  and  its 
return — Who  can  say  that  Spiritualism  is  not  of  Divine 
origin  ? 

AVERY  pleasant  episode  which  had  almost  escaped 
my  recollection  occurred  one  evening  after  re- 
turning from  the  White  House,  where  a  seance  had 
been  given  for  Mr.  Lincoln.  Miss  Colburn  informed 
me  that  during  my  absence  Mrs.  Chorpenning's  col- 
ored cook  had  told  her  that  an  old  colored  friend  had 
lost  three  hundred  dollars,  which  he  had  kept  hidden 
in  the  toe  of  an  old  shoe  (darkey  fashion),  secreted  in 
his  bedroom,  which  sum  represented  the  savings  of  a 
lifetime,  and  that  some  one  had  taken  it,  and  "Auntie" 
wished  her  (Parnie)  to  use  her  influence  with  me  to 
obtain  my  assistance,  and  for  that  purpose  to  have  a 
sitting  with  the  old  man.  At  the  same  time  the  cook 
stated  that  she  was  "  afeard  he  would  dun  go  crazy." 
My  friend  promised  a  sitting  on  my  return,  and  told 
her  to  bring  the  old  man  to  our  room  just  previous  to 
our  retiring  for  the  night.  Parnie  had  scarcely 
ceased  her  revelation  when  a  loud  knock  upon  the  back 
stair-way  door  announced  the  arrival  of  our  sable  vis- 


A  COMICAL  S^JANCE,  I99 

itors.  On  opening  the  door  a  tall,  gaunt,  stooping  figure 
met  our  sight,  whose  gray  head  contrasted  strongly 
with  the  black  features,  and  who  shambled  into  the 
room  with  many  apologies,  followed  by  the  cook. 
Cutting  short  his  profuse  expressions  of  gratitude, 
we  reminded  him  of  the  lateness  of  the  hour  and 
seated  ourselves  for  the  stance,  and  for  the  second 
time  that  evening  I  went  under  influence,  and  my 
little  spirit  messenger  "  Pinkie"  at  once  informed  him 
that  his  "  wampum"  was  safe  where  he  had  put  it, 
but  that  the  old  shoe  had  been  thrown  out,  with  other 
rubbish,  into  the  back  yard  of  the  tenement  house  he 
occupied,  and  that  among  the  rubbish  he  would  find 
it  safe  in  the  morning.  My  friend  had  much  difficulty 
in  making  the  old  man  comprehend  what  had  been 
said  to  him,  and  when  she  informed  him  that  it  was  a 
"  spirit"  in  the  room,  whom  he  could  not  see,  who  had 
given  the  communication,  his  eyes  rolled  in  terror  as 
he  edged  toward  the  door.  It  required  our  combined 
power  of  explanation  to  assure  him  that  he  was  in  no 
danger  of  seeing  "  ghostses."  The  explanation  given 
him  was  in  answer  to  his  question :  ''  How  dat  chile 
know  about  dis  ?" 

They  finally  left  with  many  apologies  for  calling. 
The  next  morning  as  we  were  about  to  descend  to 
breakfast  the  old  man's  timid  rap  was  heard.  He 
came  in,  smiling  and  bowing,  saying  he  had  come  to 
tell  us  that  he  had  found  the  shoe  and  the  money 


200  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

"  right  wliar  the  young  missis  sed  he  was."  He  was 
overjoyed  at  the  recovery  of  his  lost  treasure,  and  ex- 
hibited his  pleasure  by  offering  to  pay  me  anything  I 
would  require  for  the  service  rendered  him.  We  as- 
sured him  that  he  was  welcome,  and  that  there  was 
no  charge.  He  asserted,  in  further  explanation  and 
thanks,  that  old  Sally  had  been  *'clarin'  up  the  rooms," 
and  in  cleaning  out  the  dirt  had  thrown  out  the  worn- 
out  shoe  as  being  of  no  account,  little  dreaming  that 
its  dilapidated  toe  contained  the  precious  hoard  of  a 
lifetime,  accumulated  in  small  sums,  until  its  total 
represented  comparative  ease  and  future  protection 
to  the  old  fellow. 

Early  in  the  evening  my  time  had  been  passed,  and 
my  gift  exercised,  in  the  presence  and  for  the  benefit 
of  the  ruler  of  a  great  nation,  while  the  latter  part 
was  given,  in  the  same  manner,  to  alleviate  the  misery 
of  a  poor  old  negro  who  represented  one  of  his  most 
humble  adherents.  To  the  thoughtful  mind  the  pic- 
ture presented  declares  the  breadth  and  scope  of  that 
power  that  leads  and  guides  all  mediums  in  their  god- 
given  work  of  ministering  to  the  needs  of  humanity. 
Equal  to  every  occasion,  it  touches  the  loftiest  heights 
with  a  light  of  truth  and  wisdom  guiding  the  uncertain 
steps  of  man  in  hours  of  supreme  trial,  and  descends 
to  the  lowest  valleys  to  aid  and  comfort  the  poor  and 
humble,  and  carry  joy  to  the  weak  and  miserable. 
Therefore,  who  shall  say  that  it  is  not  of  God  ? 


PECULIAR  HISTORY,  201 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

PECULIAR   HISTORY. 

We  go  to  Washington  to  attend  the  great  Inauguration  ball — 
Meet  at  Chorpenning's — General  Banks  calls — General 
Longstreet  has  his  fortune  told — "Twice  did  I  tender  my 
sword,  and  twice  was  it  refused" — A  remarkable  state- 
ment— You  have  my  blessing. 

AVERY  pleasant  reminiscence  which  had  almost 
escaped  my  memory  transpired  during  a  visit 
to  Washington  with  my  husband.  We  went  to  Wash- 
ington to  attend  the  first  Inauguration  ceremony  which 
made  General  Grant  president  of  the  United  States. 
During  our  stay  we  were  the  guests  of  Major  and  Mrs. 
Chorpenning.  While  there  I  assisted  in  dedicating  a 
hall  for  the  First  Spiritualist  Society,  of  which  Major 
Chorpenning  was  president.  The  Sunday  evening  fol- 
lowing the  dedication  I  lectured  for  the  Society,  and  at 
its  close  was  introduced  to  many  persons,  one  of  whom 
was  the  ex-Confederate  General  James  Longstreet. 
This  gentleman  was  a  most  striking  figure,  even  among 
the  brilliant  assembly  that  filled  the  hall.  He  was 
more  than  six  feet  in  height,  of  fine  features,  iron- 
gray  hair  and  beard,  and  with  his  correct  military 
bearing,  could  not  fail  to  attract  attention  and  cause 


202  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

more  than  a  passing  glance  from  every  beholder.  His 
manners  were  pleasing  and  indicated  him  a  refined 
gentleman.  He  accompanied  our  party  to  the  Major's 
home,  asking  me  many  questions  meanwhile  concern- 
ing my  mediumship,  and  expressing  himself  as  having 
been  greatly  entertained  by  the  discourse  which  he 
had  heard,  and  desirous  of  knowing  something  addi- 
tional regarding  the  subject.  The  Major  cordially 
invited  him  to  join  us  the  following  evening  at  eight 
o'clock,  at  the  Major's  residence. 

At  the  appointed  hour  the  bell  was  rung,  but  to  our 
surprise  not  by  General  Longstreet,  for  the  servant 
immediately  afterward  announced  General  Nathaniel 
P.  Banks,  of  Massachusetts.  The  general  was  in  full 
evening  costume,  and  blooming  serenely  and  sweetly 
upon  his  lapel  was  the  inevitable  houtonni'^re.  His 
hands  were  encased  (J  am  certain)  in  lemon-colored 
kids  and  his  whole  appearance  was  decidedly  satisfac- 
tory, and,  withal,  he  bore  about  him  a  military  and 
commanding  air.  He  was  on  his  way  to  a  reception, 
and  after  a  pleasant  chat  took  his  departure.  It  now 
being  about  8.30,  we  concluded  that  our  expected 
guest  would  not  arrive.  It  was  suggested  that  we 
resort  to  the  amusement  of  "  telling  fortunes,"  and 
that  the  Major  and  his  wife  should  be  the  subjects. 
A  pack  of  cards  was  handed  me,  and  while  I  was  in 
the  act  of  spreading  them  upon  my  lap  General  Long- 
street  was  announced.     I  hastily  threw  a  portion  of 


PECULIAR  HISTORY.  •  203 

my  dress  over  the  cards,  holding  it  in  a  manner  I  felt 
secure,  while  the  Major  and  his  wife  went  forward  to 
greet  the  general.  As  I  arose  to  shake  hands  with 
him,  to  mj  embarrassment  and  consternation,  the  cards 
slipped  from  my  dress  and  scattered  themselves  at  his 
feet.  Stepping  back  he  exclaimed,  with  an  amusing 
smile  :  "  Why,  what  is  this  ?"  Mrs.  Chorpenning,  in 
a  gracious  manner,  explained  the  matter,  whereupon 
he  said  :  "  Well,  you  must  tell  my  fortune." 

All  entered  into  the  spirit  of  the  jest,  Mrs.  Chorpen- 
ning explaining  to  him  that  he  must  "  mix"  the  cards, 
and  at  the  time  "  make  a  wish,"  assuring  him  that  I 
would  tell  him  whether  or  not  he  would  obtain  the  same. 
He  followed  her  directions  and  literally  mixed  them, 
facing  and  handling  them  in  a  most  awkward  manner, 
frequently  dropping  a  part  of  them  in  a  vain  attempt  to 
force  them  into  shape.  While  doing  so  he  assured  us  it 
was  the  first  time  in  his  life  that  he  had  handled  cards, 
adding :  "  Neither  have  I  ever  tasted  liquor  nor  tobacco 
in  any  form."  At  last  he  cut  the  cards  in  regular 
form,  and  passing  them  to  me  remarked :  "  I  have 
wished  that  I  may  succeed  in  that  which  has  called 
me  to  Washington."  I  had  scarcely  received  the 
cards  in  my  hands  when  I  was  controlled  by  a 
"  spirit,"  who,  he  afterwards  declared,  "  had  stated 
the  truth  in  every  particular  concerning  his  past  life," 
of  which  they  freely  spoke. 

The  spirit  told  him  that  wpon  two  separate  occasions 


20^  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

he  had  tendered  his  sword  in  resignation  to  Jefferson 
Davis  during  the  war,  requesting  at  the  same  time  to 
he  released  from  his  oath  to  the  Confederacy ,  and  that 
in  both  instances  his  request  was  refused.  The  rea- 
sons for  so  doing,  he  said,  were  that  he  did  not  realize 
the  full  meaning  and  magnitude  of  the  Confederate 
oath  of  allegiance  which  he  had  taken,  and  that  when 
he  did  fully  understand  it  he  knew  that  his  act  was 
pointing  toward  the  dissolution  of  the  Union,  and  he 
therefore  assured  Jefferson  Davis  that  he  could  not 
continue  his  work  and  "  put  his  heart  into  it.^^  In 
connection  with  this  he  added  :  "  I  don't  believe  there 
is  another  person  living  in  Washington  to-night  cog- 
nizant of  these  facts,  and  how  could  this  young  woman 
tell  me  of  these  matters  unless  it  be  through  the  aid 
of  a  higher  power  ?  It  is  most  astonishing."  The 
spirit  also  assured  him  that  he  would  procure  the  ful- 
filment of  his  wish  and  obtain  the  position  he  sought. 
In  verification  of  this  statement  he  was  appointed  col- 
lector of  the  port  of  New  Orleans  by  General  Grant. 
I  am  told  that  Generals  Grant  and  Longstreet  became 
firm  and  lasting  friends,  and  continued  so  up  to  the 
time  of  the  death  of  the  former.  The  student  of  his- 
tory will  ponder  over  this  statement,  and  the  politi- 
cian partly  comprehend  its  touching  and  earnest 
verification  of  the  lasting  value  and  virtue  of  our  re- 
publican form  of  government,  and  also  the  fact  that  this 
friendship  conferred  honor  upon  both  these  distin- 
guished representatives  of  the  North  and  South. 


PECULIAR  HISTORY.  205 

The  pleasant  conversation  which  followed  the  im- 
promptu circle  will  long  be  remembered  by  those  who 
met  this  brave  man  for  the  first  and  the  last  time. 

As  he  uttered  his  parting  words  to  me  he  laid  his 
hand  upon  my  head,  saying :  "  I  will  bid  you  good- 
night, and  should  we  never  meet  again,  you  have  my 
most  earnest  blessing." 


206  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 


CONCLUSION. 


In  concluding,  I  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  I 
have  said  little  or  nothing  of  the  religion  of  Spirit- 
ualism, for  the  reason  that  neither  time  nor  strength 
would  permit  so  doing.  I  may  here  mention  that 
since  the  fact  has  been  made  public  that  this  book  was 
about  to  issue,  I  have  received  many  letters  inquir- 
ing, "  Whether  I  found  the  same  comfort  and  consola- 
tion in  the  teaching  of  Spiritualism,  in  these  hours  of 
extremity,  that  could  be  found  in  the  Christian  re- 
ligion ?"  To  one  and  all  I  answer,  Yes,  and  infinitely 
more  !  While  I  have  all  the  strength  and  comfort  to 
be  derived  from  the  teachings  of  Christianity,  I  have 
the  added  blessing  that  knowledge  alone  can  convey — 
man's  immorTx\lity.  Apart  from  every  use  or  good 
to  spring  from  the  exercise  of  spiritual  mediumship, 
this  central  vital  truth  stands  out  clear  and  crystalline 
against  the  dark  background  of  doubt,  and  the  grow- 
ing infidelity  of  the  age. 

The  sweet  and  ever  precious  story  of  Jesus  and 
his  love,  work,  and  sacrifices  for  humanity,  finds  in 
modern  Spiritualism,  confirmation,  and  in  the  ranks  of 
our  army  of  medium-workers,  to-day,  we  see  the  fulfil- 


CONCLUSION.  207 

ment  of  his  words,  "  Greater  things  than  these  shall 
ye  do,  for  I  go  to  the  Father."  His  assurance  that 
these  signs,  viz  :  "  Healing  the  sick  by  the  laying  on 
of  hands,  casting  out  devils,  speaking  in  tongues,  the 
utterance  of  prophecies,  and  their  subsequent  fulfil- 
ment," should  follow  those  who  believe, /n(^s  little  or 
no  a'pplication  to  the  church  founded  in  his  name.  But 
in  modern  Spiritualism  we  realize  a  new  Pentecost, 
and  it  seems  strange,  indeed,  to  find  the  doors  of  the 
so-called  Christian  world  closed  against  the  only  testi- 
mony that  can  demonstrate  and  prove,  beyond  perad- 
venture,  the  truths  taught  by  Jesus  and  his  followers, 
and  to  discredit  its  teachings,  on  the  ground  that  some 
of  its  mediums  and  followers  are  ignorant  or  without 
moral  character,  which  is  no  argument  against  its 
truths  for  of  the  chosen  twelve  of  the  Master,  one 
betrayed  him,  one  denied  him,  and  a  third  doubted 
him,  and  in  all  ages  there  have  been  those  ignorant 
and  unwise  enough  "  to  steal  the  livery  of  heaven  in 
which  to  serve  the  devil,"  or  to  subserve  some  selfish 
end  or  aim.  But  time,  the  great  interpreter  of  all 
things,  clears  away  all  error,  and  eventually  banishes 
the  dust  and  tarnish  of  sacred  things ;  and  we  learn 
to  know  that — 

"  Truth  crushed  to  earth  shall  rise  again, 
The  eternal  years  of  God  are  hers  ; 
But  Error,  wounded,  writhes  in  pain 
And  dies  among  his  worshippers.** 


208  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRlTUALLSTf 

In  the  years  I  have  been  confined  to  my  bed,  Spirit- 
ualism has  been  to  me  a  perpetual  solace  and  joy. 
The  mediumistic  gift  has  remained  with  me,  and  while 
my  external  vision  has  grown  dim  from  years  of  suf- 
fering, my  clairvoyant  sight  has  grown  clearer,  and 
the  forms  of  my  loved  ones  who  have  gone  before  me 
to  the  bright  Beyond,  are  plainly  visible  in  my  dark- 
ened room,  and  although  my  external  hearing  is  dull 
and  unreal,  my  clairaudient  power  abides  with  me,  and 
I  hear  the  loved  voices  that  death  has  silenced  to  the 
outer  sense,  and  I  am  not  left  to  say,  I  long  for  "  the 
touch  of  a  vanished  hand,  and  the  sound  of  a  voice 
that  is  still." 

From  these  risen  loved  ones  I  have  received  en- 
couragement and  comfort  in  hours  of  darkest  trial. 
Three  times  in  as  many  years  the  death  angel  has 
come  under  our  roof,  each  time  leading  one  of  our 
loved  ones  home.  Three  separate  times  the  casket 
containing  the  form  of  a  cherished  member  of  our 
household  has  been  brought  to  my  bedside,  that  I 
might  look  for  the  last  time  upon  all  that  was  mortal 
of  a  loved  mother,  sister,  and  aunt.  In  my  present 
physical  aspect,  with  one  voice  after  another  becoming 
silent,  one  dear,  familiar  face  after  another  going  out 
from  my  home,  and,  as  the  world  views  it,  never  to 
return,  conditions  arose  which  I  never  could  have 
borne,  had  not  God  endowed  me  with  the  priceless  gift 
that  enabled  me  to  realize,  beyond  question^  that  my 


CONCLUSION.  209 

dead  were  living  stilly  and  that  they  could  and  did 
return  and  comfort  me.  My  experience  as  regards 
mediumship  has  been,  and  is,  the  experience  of  thou- 
sands. Sacred  forever  be  the  memory  of  our  army 
of  risen  mediums,  workers,  and  pioneers  of  our  beauti- 
ful philosophy,  and  ail  honor  to  the  noble,  increasing 
army,  each  one  a  standard-bearer,  in  advancing  the 
work  of  revealing  the  mightiest  truth  ever  given  to 
man  ;  for  by  it  we  solve  the  question  of  all  questions, 
uttered  by  the  prophet  of  old,  '^  If  a  man  die,  shall 
he  live  again  f^ 

To  all  those  workers  I  send  loving  greetings,  and  if 
I  may  no  longer  take  active  part  with  them  in  spread- 
ing the  glad  tidings,  and  disseminating  this  living 
gospel  for  the  benefit  of  mankind,  I  can  pray  for 
them,  and  bid  them  God-speed  on  their  holy  mission. 
In  the  immortal  words  of  him  who  occupies  so  promi- 
nent a  place  in  this  book,  "  With  charity  to  all,  and 
malice  toward  none,"  I  close  these  pages,  always 
bearing  in  mind  the  beautiful  lines  by  our  venerated 
Whittier: — 

**  I  know  not  where  His  Islands  lift 

Their  fronded  palms  in  air  \ 
I  only  know  I  cannot  drift 

Beyond  His  love  and  care. 
And  so,  beside  the  Silent  sea, 

I  wait  the  nnu filed  oar  ; 
No  harm  from  Him  can  come  to  rae 

From  ocean  or  from  shore. 

14 


210 


WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 


Oh,  brothers,  if  my  faith  is  vain, 

If  hopes  like  these  betray. 
Pray  for  me  that  my  feet  may  gain 

The  sure  and  safer  way. 
And  thou,  O  God,  by  whom  are  seen 

Thy  creatures  as  they  be, 
Foro;ive  me  if  too  close  I  lean 

My  human  heart  on  Thee  !'* 


MRS.    NETTIE    COEBURX    MAYNARD. 
Photographed  from  miniature,  1863. 


SPIRIT    POEMS, 


DICTATED 


THROUGH  THE  MEDIUMSHIP 


OF 


Mrs.  NETTIE  C.  MAYNARD. 


(211) 


SPIRIT    POEMS. 


TO  MY  MOTHER. 

Passed  to  the  Higher  Life,  March  17,  1888. 

Three  times,  dear,  the  roses  have  blossomed 

And  faded  our  faces  between — 
Three  times  o'er  your  still  heart,  dear  mother, 

The  grass  on  your  grave  has  grown  green — 
And  my  lips  wear  the  smiles  I  have  taught  them, 

And  your  name,  without  weeping,  I  speak. 
Ah,  mother !  we  learn  through  Time's  weary  years 

What  the  poor  heart  may  bear,  and  not  break. 

To-day,  as  I  gazed  on  your  picture. 

In  likeness  so  faithful  and  true. 
Did  you  know  how  my  poor  heart  was  weeping, 

And  how  it  was  calling  for  you  ? 
Ah  !     That  moment  I  know  the  dear  anjjels 

Missed  you  from  your  own  holy  place, 
For  I  felt  you  were  bending  above  me 

And  leaving  a  kiss  on  my  face. 

And  I  heard,  in  the  hush  of  that  moment, 

A  sound  like  the  sweep  of  a  Aving  ; 
And  a  note  trembled  down  througrh  the  silence 

Like  the  music,  dear,  you  used  to  sing  ! 

(213) 


214  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

While  the  peace  that  is  given  the  angels 
Seemed  wrapping  me  up  in  its  fold, 

Till  the  clouds  of  my  sorrow  were  lifted 
And  their  edges  were  bordered  with  gold. 

When  the  finders  of  twilirjht  are  closing 

o  o  o 

The  dim,  weary  eyes  of  the  day. 
And  the  meek,  lowly  heads  of  the  flowers 

Are  bowed  in  the  silence  to  pray  ; 
Oh,  come  then,  dear  mother,  and  banish 

The  dust  and  the  darkness  of  care, 
And  tell  me  a  story  of  heaven. 

And  tell  me  you  're  loving  me  there. 

And  now  that  I've  reached  the  "  Still  River," 
Will  you  come  to  me — close  to  my  side  ? 

Shall  I  hear  the  sweet  words  of  your  welcome 
Above  the  low  lull  of  the  tide  ? 

And  lying  so  helpless,  with  garments 
All  dusty  and  worn  with  the  strife, 

I  am  longinor  to  bathe  in  the  River, 

CD         C  ' 

In  the  waves  of  the  "  River  of  Life." 

And  then,  can  I  kiss  you  In  heaven. 

And  tell  you  how  lonely  I've  been  ? 
And  find  you  the  same,  with  your  true  loving  heart 

Wide  open,  to  gather  me  in  ? 
Alas  !     I  am  sometimes  impatient 

And  feel  but  the  hlow  of  "the  rod." 
Oh,  help  me  and  strengthen  me,  mother, 

Till  we  meet  in  the  "mansions  of  God  I" 


SPIRIT  POEMS.  215 

THE  SPIRIT  OF  ROBBIE  BURNS. 

I  gie  you  greeting  fra'  the  land 

That's  filled  with  mony  a  blessing  ; 
Where  love  and  truth  walk  hand  in  hand, 

Mid  balmy  airs  caressing  ; 
Na  angry  God  1  na  de'il  wild, 

As  in  tradition's  story. 
But  the  Guid  Shepherd  owns  each  child, 

And  love  takes  a'  the  glory. 

The  grave  fra'  whence  ye  culled  the  flowers 

Holds  not  the  souls  ye  cherished  ; 
They  dwell  in  fair  immortal  bowers  ; 

Their  bodies  only  perished. 
The  guid  wife  loved  the  clover  bloom 

And  every  ither  blossom  ; 
She  saw  ye  bending  o'er  her  tomb 

And  leaning  on  your  bosom. 

Knew  all  thy  thoughts  in  sadness  fra't. 

As  o'er  the  twa  graves  bending  ; 
It  seemed  that  they  from  heaven  had  caught 

The  peace  that  e'er  is  lending ; 
Look  up,  na  doon  ;  a  joy  awaits 

Your  heart,  as  mony  anither, 
And  ye  shall  own  at  heaven's  gate, 

Tha'  Robbie  Burns  your  brither. 

Once  more  I  gie  ye  greeting,  mon, 

Amid  the  world  o'  trial ; 
But  it  wad  seem  it  nigh  had  gane 

Completely  to  the  de'il. 
When  a  guid  mon  will  gang  astray, 

Regardless  o'  their  teaching. 
They  canna  mean  it  when  they  pray, 

Nor  even  when  they're  preaching. 


216  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

Ah  weel !  ah  weel !  be  thankful,  mon, 

Ye'r  wife  has  gane  to  glory, 
And  that  ye  may  her  record  scan, 

Nor  fear  a  shamefu'  story. 
The  poet  in  ye  olden  time 

Was  ca'  d  the  prince  o'  evil ; 
And  that  the  spirit  o'  his  rhyme 

Was  taken  fra'  the  de'il. 

But,  sir,  tho'  often  grave  and  quaint, 

And  common  ways  eschewen, 
We  did  na  claim  to  be  a  saint 

When  we  were  mischief  brewin'  ; 
But  had  we  run  a  tilt  on  earth 

W^i'  mony  an  evil  doer  ; 
We  wad  na  rob  a  man  o'  worth. 

That  we  might  play  the  wooer. 

Note. — Given  to  the  artist,  S.  R.  Fanshaw,  of  Morrisania,  N.  T., 
on  the  occasion  of  his  having  visited  the  graves  of  his  wife  and 
children  at  Woodlawn.  A  few  preserved  flowers  in  a  pass-book  in 
Mr.  Fanshaw 's  pocket  gave  rise  to  this  spirit  poem. 


LABOR. 


The  subject  of  this  poem  was  suggested  by  a  gentleman  who 
called  upon  me  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  J.  Newton,  of  New  York 
City,  for  the  purpose  of  learning  something  of  Spiritualism.  On 
being  told  that  I  was  able  at  times  to  give  forth  spirit  poems,  he 
suggested  the  title  "Labor."     The  result  was  satisfactory  to  him. 

To-night  I  will  sing  you  a  song  of  the  sea, 
And  tell  you  the  story  it's  telling  to  me. 
For  I  never  bend  over  the  wild  solemn  waves 
But  I  long  for  the  secret  hid  down  in  their  caves. 


SPIRIT  POEMS.  217 

The  unceasincr  murmurs  that  rise  from  its  breast 
Are  telling  of  labor  and  constant  unrest : 
And  its  cold  hands  all  sparkling  with  jewels  of  spray, 
On  the  white  sands  are  beating  the  long  hours  away. 

Down  under  the  waters  bright  corals  I  see, 
That  stretch  their  fair  fingers  and  beckon  to  me, 
And  point  to  the  temples  the  ages  have  wrought, 
All  sparkling  with  jewels  the  swift  tides  have  bro't. 

And  leading  me  down  through  the  white  coral  doors 
They  point  to  the  jewels  that  gleam  thro'  their  floor. 
And  the  tide's  busy  fingers  forever  at  play 
Are  fash'ning  in  beauty  by  night  and  by  day. 

There  are  shells  of  rare  structure  and  beauty,  I  ween. 
Whose  rainbow-like  tintings  reflect  heaven's  sheen. 
And  pearls  fair  as  roses,  of  beauty  untold. 
Awaiting  their  settinj;  of  silver  and  gold. 

O  D  O 

Oh  !  the  wondrous  treasures  I  saw  in  the  sea  ! 
And  the  lesson  they  taught  in  their  murmurs  to  me 
Was  this,  that  I  give  you — that  labor  alone 
Is  the  means  to  develop  the  treasures  we  own. 

In  the  ocean  of  life  there's  a  far  brighter  gem 
Than  ever  encircled  a  king's  diadem  ; 
And  far  richer  blessings  all  hidden  may  be 
In  some  lonely  spirit,  than  in  the  deep  sea. 

But  labor  unceasing,  and  close  watchful  care 
Is  needed  for  progress,  all  hallowed  by  prayer  ; 
And  the  deep  tides  of  nature  are  working  for  aye 
To  fashion  the  temples  that  never  decay. 

Those  temples  of  beauty,  where  God  in  the  soul 
Dwells  ever  in  spirit,  in  loving  control ; 


218  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

So  the  song  that  I  heard  as  I  bent  o'er  the  sea 
AVas  the  lesson,  dear  Myrtle,  I'm  telling  to  thee. 

That  unceasing  labor  alone  can  impart 
The  liofht  to  the  iewels  hid  down  in  the  heart : 
And  the  song  of  life's  ocean  unceasing  doth  rise 
Till  its  music  is  blent  with  the  song  of  the  skies. 

For  "  Prom'ess"  is  written  all  over  the  sod 
Where  blossoms  lift  up  their  fair  faces  to  God. 
To  all  that  are  faithful  and  truthful  'tis  given 
To  win  while  on  earth  a  bright  mansion  in  heaven. 


AN  ANNIVERSARY  CAROL. 

Dedicated  to  B.  B.  Hill,  Esq. 

How  golden  the  years  that  are  crowning  our  planet 
With  truth  and  with  wisdom  her  lessons  to  prove, 

The  broad  book  of  Nature  in  covers  of  granite, 
Unsealed  to  our  eyes  by  Omnipotent  love  ! 

No  longer  the  gloom  of  the  olden-time  twilight, 
When  Reason  was  wrapped  in  a  chrysalis  dream, 

The  bold  mountain  headlands  are  touched  with  the  highlight 
That  kisses  the  mists  from  the  lowland  and  stream. 

Though  slow  was  the  dawning  till  Mind  broke  its  fetters, 
And  dared  to  go  forward  where  Truth  led  the  way, 

Though  slow  was  our  childhood  in  learning  its  letters 
Our  Manhood  redeemed  what  was  lost  by  delay  ! 

When  man  claimed  his  birthright  of  freedom  and  power, 
And  shook  oif  the  shackles  of  slavish  duress, 

He  caught  from  the  cloud  his  electrical  power 
And  lit  with  its  lightning  the  Path  of  the  Press. 


SPIRIT  POEMS.  219 

Then  quickly  the  long  suppressed  truths  of  the  ages 

In  radiant  garments  illumined  the  earth, 
And  man  read  aright  Nature's  beautiful  pages, 

And  learned  the  true  standard  of  Manhood  is  Worth  ! 

The  thrones,  Sceptres  of  Empires  are  falling, — 

The  Idols  of  Ignorance  roll  in  the  dust. 
While  deep  unto  deep,  for  revision  is  calling. 

And  Love  led  by  Knowledge  looks  upward  in  trust. 

While  Science  with  iconoclastic  hand  lifted 

Dethroning  old  Errors,  so  hoary  and  gray. 
The  chaff  from  the  wheat  hath  slowly  been  sifted. 

And  stones  from  the  tombs  of  our  dead  rolled  away. 

How  golden  the  harvest !  how  rich  the  fruition  ! 

And  almost  the  fruit  of  a  three-score  of  years, 
What  may  we  not  hope  from  the  Future's  tuition 

When  joy  weaves  a  rainbow  from  sorrow's  sad  tears  ? 

It  is  well  to  have  lived  when  no  power  of  restriction 
Retarded  thy  soul-growth  to  manhood's  full  prime, 

When  the  meaning  of  life^  like  a  sweet  benediction. 
Leads  onward  and  Godward  through  eternal  time. 


o 


But  grand  to  have  lived  and  received  as  a  treasure 
The  bright  golden  harvest  these  years  have  unrolled  ; 

Truth  gives  to  her  children  her  gifts  without  measure, 
Her  jewels  and  wealth  are  more  precious  than  gold. 

And  thou  didst  perceive  her  divine  revelation. 
That  love  in  thy  heart  that  casteth  out  fears, 

And  well  may  thy  soul  claim  for  its  coronation, 
A  diadem  worthy  thy  threescore  of  years. 


220  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

Our  congratulations  on  thy  sixtieth  birthday, 

Rejoicing  with  thee  o'er  thy  labor  "  well  done," 

But  far  more  than  all,  the  sweet  flowers  in  thy  pathway, 
Proclaim  thy  good  works  from  the  truth  thou  hast  won. 


TO  MY  MOTHER. 

On  her  eightieth  birthday,  December  11, 1880. 

Dear  mother,  tis  no  easy  task 

That's  given  to  me. 
Thy  children  and  their  children  ask 

1  speak  to  thee 
Their  loving  greetings,  as  they  bring 
For  thine  acceptance,  love's  pure  offering. 

And  friends  afar  and  those  near  by 

Give  each  a  token 
In  proof  that  friendship's  tender  tie 

Remains  unbroken, 
And  ask  that  I  for  each  convey 
Congratulations  for  thy  natal  day  ! 

But  thou  dost  know  where  love  would  speak 

The  lips  are  dumb. 
'Tis  shallow  brooks  in  bubbles  break 

And  find  a  tongue  ; 
Therefore  we  pray  our  acts  may  bear 
Our  hearts'  real  message  in  our  watchful  care. 

'Tis  something  to  have  lived  to  see 

These  eighty  years. 
And  they  have  brought  far  more  to  thee 

Of  smiles  than  tears  ; 
And  looking  forward  where  the  "valley"  lies, 
Peace  seems  reflected  from  the  evening  skies. 


SPIRIT  POEMS.  221 

True,  in  these  years  thou  seem'st  to  tread 

Life's  path  alone, 
But  sweet  revealings  now  declare  thy  dead 

Are  still  thine  own. 
And  he  whose  love  made  glad  thy  early  days 
Still  walks  beside  thee  in  the  twilight  haze. 

And,  looking  down  the  vale  of  time, 

Our  eyes  behold 
Such  wondrous  thoughts  outwrought  in  deeds  sublime  ; 

The  age  of  gold 
Seems  rising  in  the  glory  that  appears  ; 
The  rightful  harvest  of  these  eighty  years. 

Thou  hast  beheld  a  nation  small  and  young 

Reach  manhood's  day. 
And  seen  fair  freedom  wrench  with  hand  and  tongue 

Her  chains  away, 
And  sink  them  deep  beneath  a  million  graves 
That  crowned  with  manhood  a  whole  race  of  slaves. 

'Tis  thine  to  tell  of  sciences  and  art 

Thine  eyes  have  seen  ; 
The  throbbing  pulses  from  great  Nature's  heart 

Outwrought  in  steam, 
And  the  whole  world  arise  from  ignorance  dire 
And  don  her  girdle  of  electric  fire. 

But  a  far  higher  theme  would  here  engage 

Our  grateful  thought ; 
The  joy,  the  crown,  the  glory  of  our  age, 

Our  souls  have  caught ! 
Another  Pentecost !   Oh,  priceless  truth 
That  gives  the  promise  of  eternal  youth ! 


222  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALLST? 

AVho  now  regrets  the  passing  of  the  years 

Of  fleeting  time  ? 
When  angel  voices  fill  our  listeninrr  ears 

With  love  divine  ? 
And  from  our  graves  their  loving  hands  to-day- 
Have  rolled  the  last  dark  tear-stained  stone  away  ! 

Then,  mother,  what  of  time  is  left 

To  journey  on, 
Though  for  a  little  while  bereft 

Of  loved  ones  gone. 
This  do  we  know,  each  broken  household  chain 
Shall  through  God's  law  eternal  find  its  own  again. 

Then  let  this  day  be  one  of  joy  complete 

That  we  are  given 
Amid  much  earthly  good,  this  precious,  sweet, 

Pure  glimpse  of  Heaven  ! 
Joyful  to  know  our  seeming  lost  can  hear  us 
And  bring  us  blossoms  from  their  border  Hear  us. 

The  warm  congratulations  of  this  day 

We  tender  now. 
Fail  to  express  all  that  our  love  would  say, 

Yet  this  we  know — 
That  all  unite  'mid  happy  smiles  and  tears 
To  thank  God  humbly  for  thy  eighty  years  ! 


TO  MRS.  L.  L.  DUNHAM. 

AVe  come  on  the  breath  of  the  morning, 
Your  dear  cherished  darling  and  I, 

With  roses  your  sad  brow  adorning. 
Gathered  where  flowers  never  die. 


SPIRIT  POEMS.  223 

We  came  when  the  blushes  were  stealing 

Across  the  fair  face  of  the  dawn ; 
When  the  first  morning  anthem  was  peeling ; 

When  the  new  day  in  glory  was  born. 

Though  he  murmured  softly,   "  My  Sister," 

She  knew  not  her  darling  was  there ; 
Yet  he  whispered,   "Dear  Mary,"  and  kissed  her 

And  coupled  her  name  with  a  prayer. 

And  bending  o'er  thee,  as  no  other, 

(Oh,  could  you  have  looked  on  your  child,) 

He  breathed,  oh  so  fondly,   "My  Mother," 
Your  heart  must  have  heard  it  and  smiled. 

"  God  bless  you  !"  we  whispered  together, 
We'll  guard  you  from  sorrow  and  strife, 

'Til  we  meet  in  the  home  of  "  Our  Father" 
On  the  banks  of  the  "  River  of  Life." 

Marie. 


TO  MRS.  M.  A.  NEWTON. 

Dear  mother-heart,  we  see  thy  hands 
Outstretched  in  longings  deep  and  wild ; 

Beckoning  to  one  in  angel  hands, 
Praying  to  clasp  again  thy  child. 

His  tiny  feet  have  gone  the  way. 
The  shining  way  the  angels  trod. 

That  leads  from  night  to  glorious  day ; 
Lit  by  the  sunny  smile  of  God, 

Yet,  gentle  mother,  love  hath  power 
To  woo  thy  darling  back  again  ; 

We  but  removed  thy  budding  flower 
Beyond  garth's  chilling  frost  and  rain. 


221  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIS2  ? 

Now  blooming  in  his  garden  sweet, 
Guarded  by  tenderest  love  Divine, 

We  bring  thy  jewel  back  to  greet 

With  fondest  love  that  heart  of  thine. 

We  know  your  arms  all  empty  seem  ; 

We  know  thine  eyes  are  often  wet ; 
Still,  death  is  but  a  silvery  stream, 

And  loving  souls  can  ne'er  forget. 

Whene'er  your  love  begs  return, 
Remember  He  knows  best  for  thee ; 

Forbid  thy  murmuring  heart  to  mourn ; 
Rather  rejoice  that  he  is  free. 

Better  a  little  grave  on  earth 

Than  manhood  gained  in  world  of  care  ; 
Better  to  know  of  a  sinless  birth 

And  angel  brow  in  Eden  fair. 


Marie. 


MY  PRAYER. 


Eternal  love  !  all  infinite 

And  everywhere  thou  art ; 
I  know  thou  guidest  me  aright, 

Abiding  in  my  heart. 
Thou  hearest  oft  my  spirit-cry — 

Shall  this  wild  searching  cease  ? 
Or  will  Thy  law  this  need  supply 

And  bring  Thy  perfect  peace  ? 

I  know  Thv  worlds  are  beautiful, 
Thy  glorious  works  I  see  ; 

And  all  my  soul  is  worshipful ; 
Dear  Lord,  I  kneel  to  Thee. 


SPIRIT  POEMS.  225 

Yet  Thou  dost  know  if  here  I  dwelt, 

Queen  of  these  kingdoms  rare, 
And  all  the  world  before  me  knelt, 

Unless  one  soul  was  there. 

That  answered  fully  unto  mine, 

In  everything  my  own, 
I'd  rather  be  that  child  of  Thine 

I  am  to-day — alone — 
I  cannot  think  I  disobey 

When  eager  souls  I  meet — 
As  evermore  I  turn  away 

And  seek  the  more  complete. 

For  life  and  all  it  is  to  me, 

Is  sacred  and  divine ; 
All  that  I  am  or  hope  to  be 

I'd  consecrate  as  thine. 
But  that  sweet  tie  which  thou  hast  given, 

That  binds  two  souls  as  one, 
Seems  to  my  heart  the  all  of  heaven 

Wherein  **  Thy  will  is  done !" 

Around  me  in  His  '*  mansion  fair" 

True  hearts  in  love  are  bound  ! 
Fragrance  in  every  breath  of  air — 

Music  in  every  sound  ; 
While  purity  and  love  increase, 

Surround  on  every  side 
The  lily  bordered  paths  of  peace 

Wherein  their  feet  abide. 

Earthward  I  wend  my  weary  way, 

To  Nature's  leafy  bowers ; 
Where  mated  song  birds  all  the  day 

Arc  singing  to  the  flowers  ; 


15 


226  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

And  mingling  with  the  chorus  grand 

Of  labor's  organ  tone, 
I  hear  the  tender  clasp  of  hands 

As  true  hearts  claim  their  own  ! 

I  see  the  rosy  dawn  of  love 

Blush  over  faces  fair, 
As  Nature  kisses  into  bloom 

The  roses  budding  there ; 
The  solemn  light  of  holy  trust 

Is  shining  in  their  eyes, 
As  if  they  saw  'mid  fading  dust 

The  glow  of  Paradise  ! 

And  e'en  amid  the  haunts  of  sin 

Where  truth  is  crucified, 
The  only  pure  and  holy  thing — 

This  love,  that  hath  not  died, 
Shines  like  a  lone  star  through  the  night 

Of  passion,  fierce  and  wild. 
The  one  unbroken  link  to  bind 

The  Father  to  His  child  ! 

The  lowliest  lives  have  a  priceless  crown, 

If  this  the  wreath  they  wear ; 
The  shepherd's  crook,  the  rustic  gown 

Gleam  with  a  glory  rare  ! 
And  I  can  wait  thro'  twilights  dim 

Of  ages  yet  to  be. 
So  that  at  last  this  diadem, 

All  perfect,  waiteth  me  ! 

Sometimes  amid  the  silence  sweet 
Where  dwells  my  life  apart, 

I  hear  a  voice  so  low  and  deep 
Responding  to  my  heart ! 


SPIRIT  POEMS.  227 

It  seems  to  rise  from  worlds  afar 

With  sorrow  in  its  tone, 
As  if,  amid  a  cold  world's  jar, 

It,  too,  was  all  alone. 

I  sometimes  feel  a  presence  near. 

So  pure,  so  true,  so  sweet, 
I  hush  my  very  heart  to  hear 

Kneeling  low  at  its  feet ! 
These  are  not  dreams,  somewhere  thou  art — 

Oh,  soul  of  God- like  grace  ! 

Somewhere  I'll  find  thy  waiting  heart 

And  claim  my  dwelling-place. 

Effie. 


MY  NEIGHBOR. 

[Gratefully  Inscribed  to  Mr.  anb  Mrs.  Quinby.] 

Luke^  10th  Chap.,  27th  Ver. 

Who  comes  my  weary  life  to  bless, 
With  thoughts  and  acts  of  kindliness. 
For  one  who  lies  in  sad  duress  ? 

My  neighbor. 

Who  never  wished  to  know  my  creed, 
But  only  sought  to  know  my  need, 
And  proved  they  were  a  friend  indeed  ? 

My  neighbor. 

W^ho  comes  with  sweet  and  gentle  grace, 
With  heaven's  pure  sunshine  in  her  face, 
Without  a  Pharisaic  trace  ? 

My  neighbor. 


228  ^VAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

Who  brings  me  blossoms  bright  and  fair, 
Of  sweetest  perfume,  rich  and  rare, 
As  if  the  breath  of  heaven  was  there  ? 

My  neighbor. 

When  crushed  and  weak  with  weary  pain, 
Or  bowed  by  sorrow's  bitter  rain, 
AVho  comes  to  cheer  me  up  again  ? 

My  neighbor. 

Thus,  like  the  Master,  doing  good, 
Their  lives  but  dimly  understood. 
Who  yet  shall  reach  their  home  and  God  ? 

My  neighbor. 

Through  three  long  years  of  helplessness. 
Who  can  their  kindness  e'er  express  ? 
I  can  but  ask  that  God  may  bless 

My  neighbor. 


MEMORIES. 


Look  forth  on  waking  Nature, 

Whose  quickened  pulses  beat 
In  springing  grass  and  bursting  bud 

Beneath  the  sunshine's  feet; 
And  while  the  scoffer  only  sees 

A  changing  season  there, 
We  hear  a  story  in  the  breeze, 

In  e'en  the  viewless  air. 

Then  turn  away  from  sadder  theme 
And  catch  the  sunny  glow 

Of  resurrected,  joyful  strains 
Whose  magic  rhythms  flow 


SPIRIT  POEMS.  229 

From  out  the  very  heart  of  God, 

Through  all  his  universe  ; 
'Til  one  grand  chorus  seems  to  rise, 

His  goodness  to  rehearse. 

O  brother  !  friend  !  my  heart  responds 

To  Nature's  thrilling  voice, 
And  with  a  love  that's  true  and  fond 

I  bid  it  to  rejoice 
That  this  old  earth  I  still  may  claim 

As  birth-place  of  my  soul ; 
The  mighty  music  of  the  main 

Still  o'er  my  senses  roll. 

The  kneeling  of  the  white  waves  down, 

Still  moves  my  soul  to  prayer  ; 
The  night's  dusk  splendor,  with  its  crown, 

Still  claims  from  love  a  share ; 
The  dim  dark  silence  of  the  wood ; 

The  grand  old  mountains  tall ; 
The  broad,  rich,  swelling  grassy  flood  ; 

The  blue  arch  over  all. 

The  blushes  on  the  cheek  of  June ; 

The  Autumn's  golden  prime; 
Ah  !  well,  I  love  old  mother  Earth, 

Her  treasures  still  are  mine. 
Oft  do  I  leave  th'  immortal  hills 

To  seek  her  spreading  palms  ; 
Unseen  to  bask  beside  her  rills 

And  breathe  her  olden  balms. 

The  holy  blooms  of  spirit  land 

My  words  can  ne'er  portray  ; 
But  flowers  I  culled  with  childhood's  hand 

Are  sweeter  far  than  they. 


230  ^VAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

The  music  of  celestial  isles, 

One  rounded,  perfect  strain, 
Is  sweet,  but  ah  !  not  quite  as  sweet 

As  memory's  low  refrain. 

Ah,  friend  of  many  years,  I  come 

To  bind  your  heart  again 
To  Nature's  more  allurinor  smile, 

That  her  sweet  music  strain 
May  steal  the  sadness  from  your  brow 

Bidding  all  care  depart, 
'Til  all  her  richest  roses  spring 

Within  and  round  your  heart. 

Thine  eyes  may  be  too  dim  to  trace 

The  wisdom  of  His  plan  ; 
Know,  each  hath  e'er  his  perfect  place 

Beside  his  brother  man  ; 
And  time  shall  prove  His  way  the  best ; 

Then,  never  doubt,  my  friend. 
When,  seeming  banned,  thy  way  is  blest ; 

Oh  !  trust  him  to  the  end. 

ACHSA. 


APPENDED    NOTES. 


(231) 


APPENDED    NOTES. 


This  portion  of  a  book  is  generally  supposed  to  con- 
tain explanatory  notes  so  valuable  as  neither  to  find 
place  in  the  body  of  the  work,  nor  to  possess  a 
sufficient  amount  of  immediate  interest  to  be  placed 
therein.  While  this  is  true  of  ordinary  books,  in  this 
especial  work  and  for  a  direct  purpose  are  they 
added  to  this  volume.  While  they  possess  a  material 
value  in  their  contents,  they  represent  a  friendly  in- 
terest to  me  to  whom  they  have  been  sent ;  and  to 
the  public,  both  within  and  without  the  lines  of 
Spiritualism,  they  stand  as  indisputable  evidence, 
corroborative  evidence  as  to  many  portions  of  the 
main  body  of  the  work.  In  brief,  they  indicate 
the  character  and  standing  of  some  of  my  many  ac- 
quaintances. It  is  now  a  source  of  regret  that  I  did 
not  get  autograph  letters  from  all  with  whom  I  came 
in  contact  during  the  war  years.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lincoln  would  have  been  glad  to  place  in  my  hand 
their  favor  in  any  form  that  I  chose  to  indicate  ;  and 
upon  several  occasions  I  was   asked  by   others   for 

(233) 


234  TF.4>S'  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALLS7  ? 

Mrs.  Lincoln,  whether  I  expected  and  would  accept 
remuneration  for  my  services  at  the  White  House,  to 
which  I  replied  that  it  was  my  joy  to  gratify  them  and 
at  the  same  time  prove  the  value  of  Spiritualism,  and 
that  to  accept  money  for  what  service  I  could  render 
would  naturally  destroy  the  pleasure  the  seances  gave 
me,  as  well  as  place  me  in  a  light  contrary  to  my 
desires. 

The  following  testimonial  was  presented  my  husband 
and  myself  upon  the  occasion  of  our  departure  for  the 
West,  some  few  years  ago.  It  bears  evidence  of  the 
kindly  intent  of  its  signers  : — 

HONORABLE  TESTIMONIAL. 

To  all  wJiom  it  may  concern: — 

The  ladies  and  gentlemen  whose  names  are  inscribed 
below  have  the  honor  to  offer 

Friendly  GREETrNGS. 

It  is  the  object  of  this  circular  letter  to  witness  that 
the  bearer,  Mrs.  Nettie  C.  Maynard,  is  a  lady  with 
whom  we  have  enjoyed  a  long  and  intimate  acquaint- 
ance, some  of  us  having  been  familiar  with  her  private 
history  for  twenty  years  or  more.  Her  friends  are 
conscious  that  wherever  she  is  truly  known  and  justly 
appreciated  she  needs  no  one  to  bear  testimony  to  her 
rare  orifts  and  eminent  worth.     Being  reminded,  how- 


APPENDED  NOTES,  235 

ever,  that  she  has  recently  found  a  new  home  in  the 
West,  among  comparative  strangers,  it  may  not  be 
improper  for  her  friends  in  the  East  to  unite  in  a  brief 
expression  of  regret  at  parting  company  with  one  so 
deservedly  beloved,  while  they  take  pleasure  in  pre- 
senting this  memorial  of  a  sacred  confidence  and  sin- 
cere affection  which  much  observation  and  long  expe- 
rience have  only  confirmed  and  sanctified. 

Be  it  known,  then,  that  in  all  her  relations  Mrs. 
Maynard  has  ever  led  a  singularly  pure  and  blameless 
life.  Always  above  suspicion  and  free  from  reproach, 
no  shadow  has  ever  fallen  on  the  crystal  whiteness  of 
her  fame.  Indeed,  the  most  eloquent  words  at  our 
command  fail  to  express  our  high  appreciation  of  such 
a  character.  No  subtile  chemistry  can  impart  a  more 
delicate  aroma  to  the  violet ;  the  lapidary  may  not 
burnish  the  stars ;  nor  can  the  art  of  the  rhetorician 
add  dignity  and  beauty  to  virtue.  In  this  fair  and 
unobtrusive  presence  let 

"Envy  frrow  pale  and  bite  the  dust, 
And  slander  gnaw  her  forked  tongue.** 

In  the  loving  kindness  that  disarms  resentment  and 
the  patience  which  is  proof  against  physical  suffering  ; 
in  the  gentleness  that  neutralizes  acidity  of  temper 
and  obliterates  personal  animosities  ;  in  the  spotless 
purity  of  an  irreproachable  life  ;  and  in  the  sweetness 
of  a  disposition  tempered  by  all  heavenly  graces,  Mrs. 


236  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

Majnard  furnishes  mild  but  constant  reproofs  of  all 
bitterness  and  want  of  charity  among  men.  These, 
too,  are  the  silent,  persuasive  and  powerful  incentives 
to  higher  aspiration  and  a  better  life.  There  is  a  re- 
deeming Gospel  in  such  an  example,  and  the  unworthy 
bow  in  silent  contrition  before  the  simple  majesty  of 
the  virtues  which  adorn  the  noblest  types  of  woman- 
hood. 

In  subscribing  to  the  contents  of  this  letter,  the 
undersigned  cannot  omit  to  record  the  honored  name 
of  "William  Porter  Maynard — husband  of  the  lady  to 
whom  this  testimonial  chiefly  refers — whose  amiable 
disposition,  courteous  manners,  and  sterling  integrity 
give  him  a  just  claim  to  universal  respect  and  esteem. 

L.  B.  BRITTAN,  New  York. 

A.  A.  Wheelock,  Ballston  Spa,  N.  Y. 

Samuel  R.  Fanshaw,  Fulton  Avenue,  Morrisania,  N.  Y. 

Nellie  G.  T.  Bkigham,  Elm  Grove,  Mass. 

J.  A.  V.  Mansfield,  61  West  Forty-second  Street,  N.  Y. 

Alonzo  G.  Hutt,  M.D.,  175  West  Forty-fifth  Street,  N.  Y. 

Edwin  R.  Kirk,  195  West  Street,  New  York. 

Henry  J.  Newton,  128  AVest  Forty-third  Street,  N.  Y. 

Mary  A.  Newton,  128  W-est  Forty-third  Street,  N.  Y. 

Henry  Van  Gelder,  97  Spring  Street,  N.  Y. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  S.  Chase,  129  East  Seventy-first  Street, 

N.  Y. 
Melville  C.  Smith,  New  York  City. 


APPENDED  NOTES.  237 

Letter  by  Hudson  Tuttle,  published  in  the  "Banner" 
March  7,  1891. 

MRS.  NETTIE  COLBURN-MAYNARD— REMINIS- 
CENCES OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

To  THE  Editor  of  the  Banner  of  Light  : 

Mrs.  Maynard  is  not  as  well  known  to  Spiritualists  as  she 
was  years  ago  under  the  name  of  Nettie  Colburn.  She  set  out 
as  a  trance  speaker  with  Mrs.  Nellie  Brigham,  and  was  a  popu- 
lar speaker,  and  continually  engaged  by  societies.  She  was 
eloquent,  and  had  that  sterling  integrity  of  character  which 
endeared  her  to  all. 

She  gave  her  whole  being,  cheerfully  sacrificing  herself  to 
the  cause.  For  the  last  three  years  of  the  war  she  was  con- 
stantly consulted  by  President  Lincoln,  and  the  communications 
he  received  through  her  were  of  most  astonishing  character. 
The  results  of  battles  were  foretold  before  the  telegraphic  dis- 
patches, and  on  several  occasions  advice  was  given  and  accepted 
which,  acted  on,  proved  of  momentous  consequence.  The 
reader  has  undoubtedly  already  seen  the  reports  of  the  deplor- 
able condition  of  this  excellent  lady,  yet  it  is  impossible  for 
any  one  to  conceive  of  the  sufferings  she  endures,  the  care  she 
requires,  and  the  patience  and  magnanimous  spirit  which  sus- 
tains her,  and  changes  pity  into  admiration. 

It  afforded  us  the  greatest  pleasure  to  accept  an  invitation 
from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  J.  Newton  to  visit  the  home  of 
Mrs.  Maynard  at  White  Plains,  which  really  is  only  a  suburb 
of  New  York.  The  visit  will  be  long  remembered.  She  was 
stricken  with  rheumatism  some  years  ago,  and  for  three  years 
has  been  confined  to  her  bed.  Her  hands  and  feet  are  dis- 
torted by  the  strained  muscles.     She  is  afflicted  with  a  cough, 


238  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRIl  UALIST? 

and  has  to  be  constantly  fanned  or  she  cannot  breathe.  She  is 
in  constant  pain,  and  the  slightest  touch  is  torture.  She  has 
lain  for  over  a  year  in  exactly  the  same  position,  and  cannot  be 
moved  without  intense  pain.  Yet  for  all  this  her  countenance 
is  bright  and  almost  placid  in  expression,  and  she  greeted  us 
with  smiles  of  joy.  Her  spiritual  being  is  entirely  above  and 
bevond  the  limitations  of  the  bodv.  Her  sensitiveness  is  so 
acute  that  she  knows  evervthing  going  on  in  the  house,  and 
gives  directions.  Her  njediumship  is  wonderful.  Gathered 
around  her  bedside  she  became  entranced,  and  it  seemed  our 
spirit  friends  had  a  perfect  means  of  communicating  with  us. 
Every  sentence  bore  evidence  of  truthfulness.  Truly  it  was 
one  of  the  most  wonderful  and  convincizig  stances  I  ever  had 
the  fortune  to  attend. 

For  the  past  year  she  has  been  dictating  her  reminiscences  of 
the  stances  given  to  Lincoln,  which  extended  over  the  last 
years  of  the  war.  They  are  of  deep  interest,  not  only  for  the 
facts  revealed,  but  as  a  psychological  study.  It  has  been  re- 
ported that  President  Lincoln  issued  the  Proclamation  of 
Emancipation  by  advice  of  the  spirit-statesmen  through  her 
mediumship.  This  she  emphatically  denies,  saying  that  it  was 
not  until  after  that  event  that  she  became  acquainted  with  the 
President.  (She  met  the  President  after  the  promulgation,  but 
before  the  Proclamation  of  Emancipation  was  signed.  See 
page  7  2. — Ed.) 

Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Maynard  have  a  pretty  home,  but  her  long- 
continued  illness  has  reduced  their  circumstances  ;  for  her  con- 
dition has  required  his  almost  constant  attendance,  and  his 
devotion  to  her  makes  a  pleasing  memory  in  the  minds  of  visi- 
tors. 

HUDSON  TUTTLE. 


APPENDED  NOTES.  239 

Letter  from  Asa  H.  Rogers,  of  the  firm  of  "  Rogers 
&  Brothers,"  cutlers  and  electroplaters. 

West  Meriden,  March  6,  1874. 
Dear  Mrs.  Maynard  : 

I  am  here  in  old  Connecticut  settled,  as  far  as  a  poor 
widowed  one  could  be  settled — that  is,  1  have  boug-ht  me  a 
house,  furnished  it  anew,  and  commenced,  first,  by  having  a 
young  man  keep  house  for  me  (being  afraid  of  that  other  part 
of  creation)  ;  but  that  soon  played  out  then,  and  now  have  an 
old  lady  and  the  boy  both.  Oh  that  I  could  get  rid  of  both  ; 
but  fate,  fate  holds  them  tight  till  the  wheel  turns  again,  then 
off  they  go.  Then  who  cometh.up?  This  I  cannot  tell,  and 
no  prophet  is  permitted  to  tell,  and  so  I  resign  myself  unto  the 
fates  again.  1  have  an  arrangement  to  stay  in  the  factory  for 
ten  years  more — the  same  factory  and  the  same  company  who 
use  our  trade-marks  in  manufacturing  plated  goods.  They  do 
not  want  me  to  leave  them  while  I  live,  so  I  concluded  to  stay 
a  part  of  that  time  (ten  years),  and  the  other  eight  to  travel, 
not  on  "Jordan's  hard  road,"  but  to  Jerusalem  and  Egypt  and 
Arabia,  etc. 

And  now,  what  I  want  of  you  is  to  come  here  and  lecture, 
and  give  sittings,  sing  and  pray,  etc.,  to  get  up  a  religious  ex- 
citement, an  old-fashion  time  ;  as  we  have  just  organized,  under 
our  statute  law,  a  Spiritual  Church  to  hold  property,  sue  and 
be  sued,  to  license  ministers,  to  preach  the  new  Spiritual  Gospel, 
to  solemnize  marriage — in  fact,  we  are  the  same  as  any  church 
in  the  State  of  Connecticut.  We  do  this  to  protect  our  lec- 
turers from  any  molestation  or  inconvenience  such  as  they  have 
often  had  ;  and  more  is  to  come  if  they  are  not  protected  by 
law.  Now,  can  you  come  in  month  of  May  or  June  ?  Stay 
at  my  house  ;  it's  your  home  when  you  come ;  and  then  again, 
it's  so  near  your  old  home,  Hartford  ;  you  must  not  forget  that; 


2i0  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALISTf 

remembering  your  old  friends ;  some  who  have  passed  the 
river,  who  helped  you  out  by  their  counsel  and  encourage- 
ment, and  your  first  grand  effort  in  Winstead.  Come  and  stay 
one  month ;  we  will  do  the  best  we  can.  We  are  not  rich,  but 
we  want  a  medium  here  and  a  lecturer  combined,  and  it  is  in 
you.  Write  me  what  you  are  doing  for  the  cause,  if  you  can 
come,  and  when  and  for  what  amount  per  Sunday. 

By  the  way,  where  is  Cornelia  ?  I  saw  her  last  in  New  York 
with  a  Mr.  Brother  Brown.  Is  she  done  Brown,  very  Brown  ? 
If  not,  let  her  come  and  lecture  ;  and  if  she  lectures  according 
to  our  new  and  glorious  Gospel,  we  will  give  her  a  license  to 
preach,  to  solemnize  marriage,  to  heal  the  sick,  to  raise  the 
dead,  to  cast  out  devils,  etc.  Now,  this  is  a  large  field,  and  let 
us  have  a  fair  fight. 

Now,  Sister  Nettie,  do  let  me  hear  from  you  soon,  and  tett 
me  how  your  health  is,  and  Mother  Maynard,  Cornelia,  and 
all.     My  regards  to  your  beloved,  and  may  the  angels  bless  you, 

ASA  H.  ROGERS. 


The  following  tender  and  paternal  letters  were 
received  by  me  from  our  dear  friend,  General  William 
Norris,  who  was  widely  known  as  a  famous  builder  of 
engines.  He  was  at  the  time  of  our  acquaintanceship 
engaged  in  some  work  for  the  U.  S.  government : — 

Willard's,  Washington,  August  4, 1863. 
My  Sweet  Nettie: — 

Do  you  not  feel  the  out-gush  of  affection  for  you  as  I  write  ? 
Do  you  not  feel  the  tingling  of  your  tender  heart  in  response  to 
my  electric  pulsations  ?  It  seems  to  me  that  my  heart  is  pressed 
to  yours  in  filial  love. 


APPENDED  NOTES.  241 

Dear  ^Nettie,  [  am  indeed  happy  in  reading  your  affectionate 
letter.  I  appreciate  your  feelings,  and  instead  of  outspoken 
thanks  you  must  only  love  me  as  a  sweet  daughter,  her  devoted 
father;  you  owe  me  no  thanks,  dear  Nettie.  'Tis  I  that  am 
indebted  to  vou  immenselv  for  your  fond  love. 

My  heart  is  happy  because  you  have  been  made  happy  by  the 
assurance  that  Parnie  and  you  shall  never  part,  and  I  am  still 
further  happy  that  you  approve  of  dear  Anna  being  received 
into  our  full  communion. 

Please  reply  to  this  on  or  before  the  7th,  8th  or  9th,  and 
direct  to  Astor  House,  Kew  York,  and  say  therein  where  you 
expect  to  be  about  the  10th  of  this  month,  and  I  will  telegraph 
you  there  when  you  may  expect  me. 

Is  there  a  telegraph  at  South  Adams  ? 

I  am  glad  to  say  that  I  am  improving  in  health,  and  I  intend 
callinor  on  vour  crood  friend,  Mrs.  Cosbv,  this  eveninff.  In  con- 
sequence  of  my  illness,  I  have  been  unable  to  go  out  and  un- 
able to  call  upon  the  President  in  behalf  of  your  brother,  but  I 
have  drawn  up  a  petition  in  his  behalf,  which  I  will  present  to 
the  President  to-morrow,  and  shall  show  him  your  letter  of  the 
29th  ult.,  which  I  duly  received.  T  am  sure  of  success.  And 
now,  my  beloved  Nettie,  I  desire  your  assistance  in  soliciting 
the  aid  of  the  spirits.  I  desire  that  the  minds  of  Secretary 
"Welles"  and  Assistant- Secretary  "Fox"  be  favorably  im- 
pressed in  my  behalf  on  account  of  my  "Cruiser,"  which  I 
have  proposed  to  build  for  the  government. 

With  best  love  to  your  dear  mother  and  with  fervent  prayers 
to  the  Giver  of  all  good  things  for  his  constant  mercies  to  vou 
and  my  sweet  Triune, 

I  remain  ever  your  loving  Grandpap, 

WILLIAM  XORRIS. 

16 


242  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

Willard's,  Washington,  August  6, 1863, 
Beloved  Daughters  Nettie,  Parnie,  Anna:  — 

Delayed  in  New  York  by  slight  illness  until  Saturday ;  after 
the  refreshing  visit  to  my  dear  daughters,  I  pursued  my  way  to 
this  place  ;  but  unfortunately  left  before  my  system  had  recov- 
ered its  tone ;  and  the  result  was,  I  had  to  lay  by  on  the  route, 
near  Philadelphia,  finding  it  necessary  to  use  active  remedies. 

Oh,  how  I  regretted  my  departure  from  my  dearly  beloved 
daughters,  for  the  time  passed  on  the  road,  with  all  its  discom- 
forts, could  have  been  so  lovingly  spent  with  them,  and  as  dear 
Parnie  so  affectionately  offers  in  her  kind  letter  (written  on  the 
2 2d  of  July,  but  only  received  late  last  evening),  she  would 
have  had  an  opportunity  to  exercise  her  filial  affection  in 
nursing  so  tenderly  her  affectionate  father.  Indeed,  I  often 
felt  her  absence,  and  it  seemed  to  me  when  reading  her  letter 
last  night  that  she  must  have  had  some  intimation  that  I  did 
require  her  affectionate  kindness.     God  bless  her  ! 

I  am  exceedingly  gratified,  dear  Nettie,  in  meeting  your 
dear  mother,  and  I  love  her  with  a  brother's  affectionate  regard. 

I  am  equally  gratified,  dear  Parnie,  in  knowing  your  dear 
mother,  and  I  love  her  as  well  as  your  noble-visaged  father, 
whose  Nestor  head  is  a  study,  and  whose  goodness  of  heart 
beams  brightly  through  his  eyes.  I  am  equally  gratified,  dear 
Anna,  in  knowing  your  dear  mother,  and  I  love  her  for  the 
trembling  of  her  heart,  evinced  in  the  few  words  of  kind  thanks 
she  could  scarcely  utter. 

And  now,  dear  daughters,  I  know  will  pardon  me  for  closing 
abruptly.  The  weather  is  intensely  hot  and  I  am  still  an  in- 
valid, although  fast  approaching  convalescence. 

That  God,  in  his  merciful  kindness,  will  bless  and  protect  you, 
dear  daughters,  is  the  constant  prayer  of  your 

devoted  Grandpap, 

W.  NORRIS. 


APPENDED  NOTES.  243 

P.  S.  You  may  write  me  and  direct  to  Astor  House,  New 
York,  up  to  Friday  7th,  as  I  hope  to  be  there  on  Saturday  or 
Monday  next. 

For  sake  of  distinction  please  give  me  my  title  of  General 
William  Norris,  in  your  direction — as  I  find  there  is  another 
William  Norris,  who  sometimes  receives  my  letters. 


Willard's,  Washington,  Oct.  8,  1863. 
My  Beloved  Children  : — 

I  wrote  you  yesterday  in  great  haste,  and  I  am  sorry  to  say 
that  business  engagements  may  prevent  the  dispatch  of  this 
letter  by  the  regular  mail  of  this  day,  for  I  have  been  all  day 
at  the  Navy  Department,  immersed  in  business. 

But,  dear  children,  I  hope  you  received  my  letter  of  Sept. 
30th  from  here  ;  for  if  not  I  shall  be  distressed  that  you  should 
have  been  so  long  without  a  letter  from  me,  and  indeed  I  do 
entreat  your  pardon.  Forgive  me,  Parnie,  for  those  days  of 
tears  tliat  sweet  Nettie  writes  so  affectingly  of.  I  will  hereafter 
regularly  write  you. 

On  the  1 7th  September,  while  In  the  cars  to  New  York  from 
this  place,  I  was  taken  suddenly  ill,  and  in  an  unconscious  state 
was  taken  out  of  the  cars  and  left  at  Havre  de  Grace,  where  I 
soon  recovered  and  went  on  to  Philadelphia  in  the  next  suc- 
ceeding train,  where  I  found  it  necessary  to  take  four  or  five 
days*  rest.  From  that  time  until  day  before  yesterday  I  have 
been  suffering  from  the  effects  of  my  attack  of  gastric  epilepsy. 
I  am  indeed  happy  to  say  that  I  have  now  entirely  recovered 
my  healthy  tone.  As  a  proof,  I  ate  a  hearty  breakfast  this 
morning  and  have  been  all  the  morning  busily  occupied  at  the 
Department.  By  this  misfortune  your  letters  that  were  di- 
rected to  New  York  were  by  my  previous  orders  transferred  to 
this  place  and  of  course  1  could  not  receive  them  in  New  York, 


244  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

and  I  addressed  you  after  my  arrival  liere,  replying  to  three,  too 
late,  unfortunately  (if  I  had  been  able  and  well  enough),  for  me 
to  go  with  you  to  see  your  soldier  friends. 

Your  good  friends,  Mrs.  Cosby  and  Mrs.  Smith,  have  been 
very  kind  and  attentive.  They  visited  me  quite  frequently, 
for  I  have  not  been  able  to  go  out  until  yesterday. 

Now  please  excuse  this  short  letter,  and  written  hurriedly  and 
in  reply  special  to  your  heartrending  winding  up,  and  it  cuts 
me  to  the  soul.  I  quote  from  yours  :  ' '  Noto  do  not,  grandpa, 
write  us  a  long  letter  if  you  are  full  of  business — only  just  a 
word  to  tell  us  you  still  love  and  remember  Nettie  and  Parnie." 

My  heart  indeed  is  sad,  sad,  that  you  could  ever  have  for  a 
second  supposed  that  such  a  horrible  idea  could  ever  enter  my 
head  as  to  forget  and  not  to  love  my  darlings  Nettie  and  Parnie. 

Write  me,  in  reply,  of  your  health — especially  Nettie.  I 
have  much  to  say  to  you,  and  shall  in  a  day  or  two  write  again. 

Oh,  Heavenly  Father,  keep  my  beloved  Nettie  and  Parnie  in 

thy  care. 

Y'r  Grandpa, 

WILLIAM  NORRIS. 


Phila.,  Dec.  15, 1863. 
My  Dear  Nettie  : — 

Your  affectionate  favor  of  the  10th  came  to  my  hands  yester- 
day at  the  Astor  House.  The  severe  storm  of  yesterday  pre- 
vented my  leaving  New  York  until  this  morning  at  ten.  I 
leave  in  the  train  for  Washington  to-morrow  and  hope  to  reach 
Willard's  about  six  or  seven  P.  M.  Please  write  me  your  ad- 
dress and  send  to  AVillard's  during  to-morrow,  and  I  will  en- 
deavor to  see  you  in  the  evening.  Sincere  thanks  for  your  kind 
wishes,  and  with  love  to  dear  Parnie, 

I  remain  ever  yours, 

WILLIAM  NORRIS. 


APPENDED  NOTES.  245 

AsTOR  House,  New  York,  Jan'y  3,  1864. 
My  Dear  Daughters  Nettie  and  Parnie  : — 

To-day  is  my  first  day  out  since  Christmas.  My  liver  has 
been  in  fault,  so  the  physicians  say,  and  it  has  been  laboring 
under  the  effects  of  prussic  acid  from  the  peach  skins  eaten  in  I 
October,  which  caused  my  first  attack  of  apoplexy.  I  have] 
been  under  treatment  until  yesterday,  and  the  desired  effects 
were  only  produced  yesterday,  and  I  am  happy  in  believing, 
with  the  assurance  of  my  physician  and  my  own  feelings,  that 
I  have  overcome  the  disease,  and  in  consequence  feel  in  good 
spirits  for  active  work  to-morrow.  I  expect  to  leave,  at  the 
latest,  on  Wednesday  morning  for  Washington,  and  I  hope  to 
see  you  same  evening.  I  have  also  written  by  this  mail  to 
friend  Somes.  With  kind  regards  and  the  compliments  of  the 
season  to  Mrs.  Somes  and  family, 

1  am  yours,  most  affectionately, 

W.  N0RRI3. 

P.  S.     I  wrote  Anna  Betts  and  directed  to  her  address,  as 

requested,  at  Buffalo. 

W.  N. 


AsTOR  House,  New  York,  Jan'y  29, 1864. 
My  Dear  Nettie  :  — 

Your  affectionate  favor  of  25th  came  duly  to  hand.  I  regret 
indeed  to  say  that  I  am  still  in  doubt  as  to  my  affairs,  although 
appearances  are  in  favor.  My  health  is  improving  slowly,  but 
surely.  I  expect  to  leave  here  to-morrow  for  Philadelphia,  and 
my  present  intention  is  to  go  to  Washington  on  Monday,  where 
I  am  promised  certain  influences  that  will  very  materially  affect 
my  affairs. 

I  shall  therefore  see  you  at  Washington,  as  I  will  be  there 
for  nearly  two  weeks. 


246  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST  ? 

I  thank  you,  dear  Nettie,  for  your  news  of  dear  Mrs.  Cosby 
(God  bless  her)  !     Give  my  ■warmest  regards  to  her  and  dear 

Parnie  with  all  my  love. 

Your  affectionate 

WILLIAM  NORRIS. 

Remember  me  to  your  dear  parents  and  friends. 

W.  N. 


New  York,  March  26,  1864,  Saturday. 
My  Dears,  Nettie  and  Parnie  : — 

Grandpa's  heartfelt  greetings,  with  sincere  hope  that  you  are 
both  well. 

I  left  Washington  on  Wednesday,  reached  Philadelphia  the 
same  evening,  where  I  found  all  well  but  anxious,  and  I  had 
great  difficulty  in  tearing  myself  away,  which  I  succeeded  in 
effecting  at  last,  but  under  a  guard,  who  delivered  me  into  the 
hands  of  my  niece,  in  good  condition.  Since  my  arrival  I  re- 
ceived your  affectionate  letter.  I  purpose  leaving  here  on 
Monday  evening  next  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  if  clear,  under 
the  care  of  my  niece,  who  will  accompany  me,  and  hope  to 
arrive  between  seven  and  eight  at  Hartford,  where  I  shall  be 
happy  to  see  you  at  the  City  Hotel.     God  bless  you  ! 

Your  affectionate 

GRANDPAP. 


"Willard's,  Monday  Evening,  9  o'clock. 
God  bless  you,  my  dear  children  !     You  have  much  relieved 
me  by  your  true  obedience  in  telegraphing  of  your  safe  arrival. 

1  have  this  moment  received  it,  after  anxious  expectation  since 

2  P.  M.,  for  I  have  counted  the  hours  and  minutes.     Thanks 
sincere  to  our  Heavenly  Father  for  all  his  mercies.     I  shall  now 


APPENDED  NOTES.  247 

to  bed  to  dream  of  you  both,  delighted  with  the  pleasing  thought 
that  you  are  safe  at  home. 

There  are  no  letters  for  Nettie.  When  I  see  you  I  shall 
have  to  punish  you  both  for  making  me  pass  so  many  mise- 
rable hours  this  afternoon.  So  look  out  for  squalls — real  squalls 
— I  will  send  your  telegram  to  Mrs.  Cosby  early  in  the  morn- 
ing. 

I  am  improving  rapidly,  and  with  love  to  all  your  friends  and 
to  my  well-beloved  sister  Hamilton,  and  praying  ye  pardon 
for  my  hasty  scrawl,  if  you  can  make  out  to  read  it,  as  you 
know  I  am  your  nearly  blind  but  loving 

GRANDPA. 


AsTOR  House,  April  7,  1864. 
My  Dear  Nettie  and  Parnie  : — 

Your  kind  favors  of  March  25th  to  Washington  and  March 
31st  to  the  Astor  are  at  hand.     The  letter  you  refer  to,  for 
Parnie,  was  the  one  which  Mrs.  Cosby  sent  to  me  and  which  I  , 
enclosed  by  mail  to  you  at  Hartford  the  day  after  you  left 
Washington. 

I  am  most  happy  to  say  that  my  trip  has  been  of  signal  ser- 
vice. 

My  strength  has  very  nearly  recovered.  My  vision  though 
is  still  dim,  which  cautions  me  for  the  present  to  avoid  much 
exercise. 

I  sincerely  hope  you  and  Parnie  are  perfectly  well.  I  trust 
to  be  able  to  go  to  Philadelphia  in  a  few  days,  and  will  write 
you  before  I  leave  here.     With  best  love  to  all, 

Your  affectionate 

GRANDPA. 


248  ^-4.9  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

The  following  letters  are  from  ray  dear  departed 
friend  Mrs.  Anna  M.  Cosby,  daughter  of  Robert 
Mills,  Esq.,  architect  of  the  Washington  Monument  at 
Baltimore  and  the  Capitol  building  in  Washington. 
At  the  last  meeting  with  this  lady  she  presented  me 
with  a  volume  of  Burns's  poems,  saying,  "  Money  you 
would  spend,  and  clothing  wear  out.  This  book  is  a 
far  better  gift,  it  will  always  be  a  friend,  and  let  me 
add,  that  as  you  journey  through  life  you  will  make 
many  friends,  some  of  whom  will  wish  to  make  you 
presents.  Let  me  counsel  that  when  the  gracious 
tender  of  a  present  is  made  you  always  choose  a  book, 
and  have  them  inscribe  their  name  upon  the  fly-leaf 
of  the  volume.  In  after  years  the  book  will  be  a  last- 
ing record  of  your  passing  friendship,  and  be  a  pleasure 
and  service  to  you.  At  the  same  time  those  received 
from  spiritualistic  friends  will  prove  a  record  of  per- 
manency and  value  ;  and  testify  for  you  when  you  can 
no  longer  speak  for  yourself.**  My  well-stored  book- 
case is  an  evidence  of  her  wise  suggestion,  and  also 
the  tribute  of  many  friendships  : — 

Washixgtox,  March  35th. 
Dear  Nettie  : — 

Like  the  dew  on  the  drooping  flower  which  has  been  wilted 

by  the  ardent  rays  of  a  scorching  sun  came  your  dear  letter ; 

but  'twere  vanity  in  me  to  apply  to  myself  all  that  your  loving 

nature  imparted  in  its  welcome  folds.     I   have  missed   dear 

Parnie  and   yourself,   whose  coming  from  time  to   time  has 

cheered  the  otherwise  solitude  of  the  old  homestead.     We  are 


APPENDED  NOTES.  249 

told  to  beware  of  parting.  The  true  sadness  is  not  in  the  pang 
of  parting ;  it  is  in  the  when,  and  the  how,  you  are  to  meet 
again  with  the  face  about  to  vanish  from  your  view.  Have  you 
not,  after  a  year,  even  a  month's  absence,  returned  to  the  same 
place,  found  the  same  groups  re-assembled,  and  yet  sighed  to 
yourself?  But  where  is  the  charm  that  once  breathed  from  the 
spot,  and  once  smiled  from  the  faces.  A  poet  has  said, 
"  Eternity  itself  cannot  restore  the  loss  struck  from  the  minute." 
Are  you  happy  in  the  spot  on  which  you  taiTy  with  the  persons 
whose  voices  are  now  melodious  to  your  ear?  Beware  of  part- 
ing, or  if  part  you  must,  say  not,  in  defiance  of  time  and  destiny, 
"  What  matter  !  we  shall  soon  meet  again."  I  echo  that  hope 
of  yours,  dear  Nettie,  and  that  the  May  birds  sing  out  a  joyous 
note  at  your  coming. 

Both  aunt  and  myself  were  rejoiced  to  learn  of  the  cheering 
prospect  of  realizing  the  joys  of  home  under  your  dear  parents' 
roof,  and  that  a  cup  sent  up  its  streamy  column  to  remind  you 
of  your  absent  friend.  Aunt  will  heed  the  request  and  send 
what  you  desire  in  the  making  of  another  drink.  Xot  a  day 
passes  but  that  your  names  are  mentioned  and  the  wish  that  you 
were  both  here  again.  As  to  the  care  I  was  to  bestow  on  our 
good  friend,  !Mr.  Xorris,  no  opportunity  was  given,  by  his 
sudden  departure  from  the  city  ;  no  inducement  remained  after 
his  sights  were  withdrawn.  I  suppose  you  have  heard  from 
him.  Mrs.  McClelland  we  have  not  seen  since  you  left;  an 
invitation  was  kindly  extended  to  us  to  spend  an  evening  with 
her,  but  the  elements  were  against  us  and  we  did  not  attend. 
As  soon  as  I  see  her,  I  will  deliver  her  your  love.  An  arrival 
by  the  evening  train  brings  us  Mrs.  Forney  and  Mary ;  they 
made  kind  inquiries  about  you  ;  many  ladies  are  clustering  in 
Washington  for  the  purpose  of  attending  the  ball  to-morrow 
evening  ;  ' '  half  of  beauty' s  court  is  going. ' '  You  will  soon  see 
Mr.  Howells,  who  goes  to  visit  Hartford  for  the  improvement  of 


250  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

his  health  ;  he  got  a  severe  injury  in  the  cars  that  has  caused 
him  much  suffering.  He  will  return  again  to  "Washington,  and 
by  him  you  can  send  a  pack  of  cards  like  our  friend  ]\Irs.  Ham. 
bleton  had,  so  that  when  you  come  again  you  can  find  out  if  a 
"light  man  or  a  bundle  comes  to  the  house."  Polly  still  calls 
out  "Come  in,"  and  is  now  adding  to  the  number  of  words 
those  of  "  Black  your  boots."  Aunt  has  a  song  for  you  which 
she  will  send;  it  is  popular  verse,  commencing  with  "  Sing  a 
song  of  greenbacks." 

Write  as  often  as  you  can  find  time  to  devote,  and  tell 
*'  Pinkey"  that  she  must  come  and  rap  for  us,  as  also  to  remind 
Romano  of  his  promise  to  manifest  his  presence  by  some  sign 
or  sound  that  will  assure  me  of  his  guardianship  and  watchful 
care.  Ever  shall  I  cherish  the  memory  of  your  presence  in  my 
lonely  room,  where  you  awakened  the  echo  of  the  "Old  Bell 
Tavern,"  as  well  as  brought  about  the  inmates  of  its  old  walls, 
loved  memories  of  the  past.  I  wrote  Mrs.  Hambleton  last 
evening  in  reply  to  her  letter  preceding  the  medicines.  You 
must  not  neglect  to  send  the  piece  of  poetry  you  spoke  of  stowed 
away  among  your  papers — rightfully  belonging  to  me.  You 
must  know,  dear  Nettie,  how  much  I  prize  all.  that  emanates 
from  your  pen,  especially  as  in  this  case  it  told  of  a  warm 
place  in  your  heart  for  your  friend, 

ANNA. 


"Washington,  April  17. 
Dear  Nettie  : 

Aunt  is  now  writing  to  Parnie,  and  I  cannot  allow  her  letter 
to  go  without  a  little  messenger-bird  like  this  sheet  to  accom- 
pany it,  if  'twere  merely  to  thank  you  for  your  refreshing  and 
kind  communication  of  the  11th  inst.  Above  all  thingrs  it  con- 
tained,  was  the  gushing  out  of  a  heart  that  told  its  love  pure  as 
the  "lap-wing  font."     I  feel  you  would  not  utter  words  of 


APPENDED  NOTES.  251 

affection,  or  write  them  beautifully  as  you  are  able  to  express 
them,  did  they  not  come  willingly  up  from  the  deep  recesses  of  a 
noble  and  genuine  soul,  therefore  I  earnestly  thank  you ;  and 
though  I  cannot  ascribe  any  merit  for  all  you  said,  yet  it  shall  be 
my  warmest  endeavor  to  deserve  it.  There  is  a  deep  trustful- 
ness in  a  loving  heart. 

You  may  remember  when  we  promised  each  other  we  were 
to  write  just  as  we  felt  ?  This  privilege  you  assumed  when 
you  expressed  the  idea  that  the  Angel  of  Death  stood  in  one  of 
the  paths  of  your  lecturing  field;  this  I  will  not  allow  you  to 
say,  for  I  want  you  always  to  recollect  that  no  exertion  on  your 
part  in  the  capacity  of  lecturing  must  be  enacted,  for  there  is 
always  a  haven  of  rest  and  quiet  where  no  annoyance  or  trouble 
shall  reach  your  heart;  and  wherever  you  may  be  and  want  to 
come  to  me,  say  the  word  and  the  means  shall  be  provided  for 
your  coming;  then  say  no  more,  dear  Nettie,  about  anxieties 
for  the  future,  while  I  have  a  roof  and  the  means  of  supply — 
the  simple  fare  you  seemed  ever  willing  to  appreciate. 

I  saw  Mr.  Horton  at  Mrs.  McClellan's  a  few  evenings  since; 
he  did  not  receive  your  letter,  and  asked  me  to  mention  this  to 
you,  with  the  desire  that  you  should  address  him  again.     There 

is  another  Mr.  A.  Horton  in  W ,  who  sometimes  gets  his 

letters,  and  I  feel  assured  if  one  of  yours  fell  in  his  possession, 
he  would  be  loath  to  give  it  up.  Mr.  H.'s  address  is  at  the 
Quartermaster's  Department,  if  I  rightly  recollect.  But,  at 
any  rate,  he  told  me  he  had  sent  his  direction  to  the  '  ^  Banner 
of  Light,"  so  that  any  one  desiring  to  address  him  on  business 
might  have  a  correct  direction.  I  was  gratified  to  learn  you 
and  dear  Parnie  had  arranged  everything  at  your  home  con- 
ducive to  health  and  comfort,  and  that  your  good  parents  were 
quiet  and  happy  once  more.  I  know  full  well  the  happiness 
you  can  bring  along  with  you  wherever  you  may  go;  did  not 
sunshine  come  at  your  advent  in  the  "  Old  House  on  the  Hill  ?" 


252  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIPdTUALIST? 

You  know  me  too  well  to  believe  otherwise  than  that  I  pay  a 
sincere  and  honest  tribute  to  one  I  know  is  incapable  of  flat- 
tery, of  one  incapable  of  saying  what  she  does  not  think  and 
feel. 

I  must  tell  you  in  brief  terms  a  dream  I  had,  and  get  Pinkey 

to  interpret  it  for  me I  stood  by  an  opening  in  the  floor, 

and  saw  a  murky  stream  rushing  with  great  force  ;  I  seemed 
greatly  disturbed  in  mind,  and  had  in  my  hand  three  kind  of 
rings,  black,  gold,  and  diamond,  and  was  about  dashing  them 
into  the  stream,  when  my  eye  caught  the  sparkle  of  my  darling 
sister  s  gift,  and  I  thought  could  I  cast  into  the  troubled  waters 
her  ring  ?  There  were  also  some  large  and  small  black  buttons 
among  the  rings,  but  I  disregarded  these  and  thought  of  a 
sister's  gift  alone.     While  reflecting  on  this  I  awoke. 

Have  you  consulted  the  fates  to  see  the  condition  of  the 
light  man,  whether  there  is  sickness  near,  or  an  enemy  at  work. 
As  my  impression,  I  know  he  would  like  to  turn  his  face  to  the 
house.  Give  my  love  to  Parnie,  and  tell  her  everything  that 
can  be  done  in  her  behalf  is  in  process.  In  her  success  we  may 
induce  "  our  Nettie"  to  return.  Tell  her,  also,  I  have  changed 
her  ring  and  got  one  as  near  as  possible  like  the  one  given  to 
Pinkey.  No  communications  of  any  kind  have  met  my  eye 
that  would  interest  her,  but  that  I  will  still  look  out.  Be 
pleased  to  remember  me  kindly  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hannum,  and 
thank  them  for  their  kind  message  to  me  ;  and  for  Parnie  and 
yourself  receive  the  affectionate  regard  of  your  friend, 

ANNA. 

April  21. 
Dear  Nettie  : 

I  inclose  a  letter  that  came  through  the  mail  to-day,  hoping 

it  may  bring  you  kind  greetings  from  some  absent  friend.     I 

had  a  visit  from  Mr.  Horton  a  few  evenings  since,  and  you 

were  not  forgotten  in  the  conversation  we  had  together. 


APPENDED  NOTES.  253 

To-day  is  another  added  to  many  that  I  have  given  to  the 
firemen  in  getting  their  bill  passed — it  lies  on  the  table, 
awaiting  more  strong  action  to  raise  it ;  a  lively  and  animated 
discussion  ended  by  placing  it  where  it  now  is.  But  I  have 
since  been  at  work,  and  taking  its  opposers  one  by  one  have 
received  a  gratifying  response  from  them  that  notwithstanding 
they  are  not  fully  convinced,  yet  they  will  not  oppose  it  when 
it  comes  up  again.  When  I  see  you  I  will  have  some  amusing 
things  to  tell  you  of  some  of  my  interviews.  Yesterday  the 
firemen  paraded  with  a  new  reel  of  1000  feet  of  hose,  and 
when  they  returned  to  the  house,  a  committee  came  to  our 
door  accompanied  by  the  Marine  Band  and  played  a  piece  of 
music ;  I  hope  to  tell  you  my  labors  will  be  rewarded  by  suc- 
cess for  this  brave  and  noble  band  of  men.  Tell  Pinkey  she 
must  go  with  me  to  the  Capitol  when  the  subj(;ct  comes  up, 
and  press  the  heads  of  those  antagonistical  to  its  passage. 
Tell  her,  also,  I  heard  a  driver  to-day  caressing  his  horse,  and 
by  the  most  endearing  terms  call  it  his  dear  Pinkey.  I  was 
very  sorry  Mr.  Howells  left  before  I  saw  him,  for  I  would  have 
sent  Parnie's  ring  to  her  as  other  things  Mr.  McL.  has.  Love 
to  Parnie,  and  kind  regards  to  your  dear  parents. 

Affectionately  your  friend, 

ANNA. 

Washington,  553  Capitol-line,  July  9. 
Dear  Nettie  : 

That  you  may  not  be  put  to  any  trouble  in  seeking  Mrs.  Ham- 
bleton,  in  order  to  obtain  the  medicine  ordered  by  Dr.  Beecher, 
I  write  a  few  hurried  lines  to  tell  you,  I  found  upon  further 
inquiry  among  our  druggists  I  could  have  it  made,  and  have 
done  so. 

How  did  you  and  Miss  P come  to  run  off  so  soon  from 

New  York,  when  a  kind,  good  friend  of  yours  told  you  he 


254  ^VAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

would  be  with  you  the  Saturday  following  your  departure  from 
this  city  ? 

I  saw  Mr.  Norris  after  his  return,  and  he  told  me  he  had 
been  informed  that  you  and  your  friend  had  left  but  a  few 
hours  previous  to  his  incjuiries  for  you,  "Gone,"  as  his  in- 
formant said,  ' '  to  Albany. ' '  I  told  him  I  felt  assured  you  would 
have  some  good  reason  for  your  sudden  movement,  as  I  knew 
your  intention  was,  when  you  parted  with  us,  to  go  immediately 
to  your  parents.  We  all  feel  anxious  to  hear  from  you  both, 
to  know  how  you  progress  in  your  affairs  ;  you  must  always  re- 
member the  "old  house  on  the  hill"  contains  the  same  hearts 
and  well-wishers  for  your  happiness  and  prosperity. 

Miss  Betts  left  us  this  afternoon  for  her  friends  in  the  country  ; 
she  was  anxiously  looking  for  letters  from  home,  as  also  from 
Miss  Hannum  and  yourself. 

The  day  after  your  departure  I  was  very  unwell,  and  so  con- 
tinued for  several  days.  Tell  Miss  Parnie  to  seek  the  doctor's 
advice  for  me,  for  I  feel  he  has  been  with  me  often  to  sustain 
me  in  the  many  little  cares  and  annoyances  that  disturb  my 
mind,  especially  in  the  complicated  Webb  affair. 

Col.  Forney  got  back  this  morning,  enlivening  the  old  home- 
stead by  his  many  visitors.  Mr.  Laurie,  I  hear,  is  still  suffer- 
ing from  illness,  and   Mrs.  L ,  though  roaming  about  the 

city,  has  not  sought  the  air  of  Capitol  Hill,  where,  I  think,  she 
might  be  greatly  benefited  by  the  influences  that  Dr.  Beecher 
told  us  were  so  good  about  this  house.  Mr.  Miller,  1  think, 
with  this  knowledge  in  his  possession,  would  recommend  a  trial 
of  it.     What  think  you  ? 

The  piano  still  moves,  and  anxious  inquirers  seek  to  solve  the 
mystery  of  Spiritualism.  But  I  am  writing  much  more  than  I 
intended,  which  was  merely  to  save  you  trouble  on  my  account. 

Be  pleased  to  present  us  kindly  to  your  parents,  and  for  Miss 
Parnie  and  yourself  the  affectionate  regard  of  your  friend, 

ANNA  M.  COSBY. 


APPENDED  NOTES.  255 

653  Capitol-line,  Washington,  July  26th. 

Dear  Nettie  : — 

For  so  I  must  now,  and  ever  call  you,  in  memory  of  the  bright 
hours  passed  with  you.  You  came  at  a  moment  when  we  felt  your 
presence  an  actual  need.  I  was  sad  and  lonely  ;  earth  has  its 
solitudes,  so  has  life,  and  there  is  no  solitude  so  cheerless  and 
forlorn  as  that  of  the  human  heart  without  companionship  or 
sympathy.  You  came  and  brought  with  you  our  kind,  good 
friend  "the  Dr.,"  who  soon  soothed  into  forgetfulness  all  my 
sorrows ;  he,  with  yourself,  possessing  a  graceful  union  of 
delicate  satire,  exquisite  humor,  genuine  pathos  and  fervid 
fancy,  of  which  I  never  wearied,  but  fear  my  sweet  young 
friend  I  may  have  wearied  you,  did  not  your  kind  letter  tell 
me  otherwise.  I  saw  throughout  its  pages  the  continued  welling 
up  of  the  unfathomed  springs  of  your  goodness  of  heart,  and 
thank  both  Parnie  and  yourself  for  what  you  are  pleased  to 
term  an  act  of  kindness  extended  by  me,  assuring  you  that  I 
looked  upon  your  part  it  was  "more  blessed  to  give  than  to 
receive."  Now  let  me  thank  you  for  your  welcome  and  truly 
beautiful  letter ;  it  spoke  out  the  pure  doctrine  of  your  heart, 
and  I  united  in  prayerful  joy  that  you  had  a  mother  and  father 
to  bid  you  welcome  home.  I  often  feel  that  hunger  of  the 
heart,  for  so  brief  a  period  has  passed  since  mine  were  taken  to 
a  better  land.  But  I  am  thankful  to  God  that  he  permitted 
me  to  have  them  on  earth  so  long,  and  to  have  the  blessed 
assurance  that  they  are  now  re-united  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 
Present  me  kindly  to  your  parents,  and  say  I  am  gratified  if  I 
have  in  any  way  been  the  means  of  restoring  their  loved 
daughter  to  their  arms.  I  am  glad  your  devoted  and  noble 
friend  Miss  Parnie  went  to  your  rescue  in  the  arrangement  of 
the  household  ;  I  expect  she  found  it  an  easier  task  than  the 
accomplishment  of  the  one  in  Georgetown.  Give  her  my  love  and 
say  I  will  expect  to  hear  from  the  doctor  through  her,  as  I 


256  Tr.45  LIXCOLX  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

quite  mis3  his  counsel.  Why  will  he  not  come  and  influence 
my  hand,  at  some  appointed  time,  at  my  vrriting-table  in  the 
little  nock  where  your  last  beautiful  little  tribute  was  written, 
which  I  shall  cherish  as  one  of  the  gems  of  thouglit.  I  wrote 
Parnie  a  few  days  since  in  answer  to  her  kind  and  welcome 
letter,  and  mentioned  therein  a  strange  dream  I  had  had  on  the 
night  of  the  12th  inst.,  dreaming  the  same  thing  three  times. 
I  did  not  know  but  that  the  doctor  might  interpret  its  meaning. 
I  want  you  to  ask  him  if  he  is  ever  present  before  I  go  to  sleep, 
for  I  have  imagined  sometimes  he  is  there,  and  ask  him  to  im- 
press me  in  my  dreams  of  certain  events  that  passed  over  the 
surface  of  my  mind  ;  in  several  instances  I  have  dreamed  on  the 
subject  of  thought.  The  medicine  has  acted  like  a  charm,  re- 
moving all  unpleasantness  after  eating,  and  so  well  have  I  liked 
it  that  I  have  added  more  liquid  to  it,  and  occasionally  take  a 
small  quantity  as  a  token  of  remembrance  to  my  spirit  friend. 
Regarding  the  rattlesnake  oil,  I  have  at  last  met  with  a  gentle- 
man who  knows  aU  about  its  virtues  and  promises  to  obtain  me 
some  from  the  mountains,  where  he  soon  expects  to  visit.  I 
hope  you  will  have  a  speedy  opportunity  of  seeing  "Father 
N orris,"  for  no  one  holds  his  children  dearer  than  he  does.  He 
is  constantly  suggesting  plans  for  their  happiness,  and  devising 
means  in  carrvingr  them  out. 

The  benevolence  and  goodness  stamped  upon  his  face  is  a  fit 
index  of  the  purity  within.  I  rejoice  with  you  both  that  God 
has  seen  fit  to  give  you  so  kind  a  friend. 

Mr.  Norris  in  his  visits  to  our  city  on  business  can  always 
bear  me  pleasant  tidings  of  the  absent  ones,  whose  names  have 
become  as  household  words.  Some  time  in  the  fall  I  mav  visit 
for  a  brief  period  the  city  of  New  York ;  if  so,  we  shall  meet 
again.  I  know,  dear  Nettie,  if  you  often  speak  of  the  "old 
house  on  the  hill,"  and  pen  so  feelingly  a  tribute  to  the  recol- 
lection of  your  visit  there,   may  not  the  memory  of  one  who 


APPEXDED  XOTES.  257 

loves  to  dwell  upon  that  time,  cluster  around  your  heart  to  give 
birth  to  words  and  messages  to  her  who  is  left  ? 

I  will  deliver  your  message  to  the  ^lessrs.  Forney  and  friend 
as  soon  as  an  opportunity  occurs  ;  and  Mr.  Marceron  shall  be 
the  recipient  of  your  kind  recollection  through  a  special  note 
f»-om  me.  When  a  committee  of  the  Columbia  Fire  Company 
waited  on  me,  the  evening  of  the  3d,  to  receive  the  signal  flag, 
and  receivincr  also  that  which  no  companv  had  ever  been 
honored  with  before,  a  messase  from  the  spirit  world,  I  added 
a  throb  of  pleasure  in  the  heart  of  all  its  members,  and  a  memory 
of  orateful  iov  never  to  be  forjrotten.  Thev  recrretted  vou  were 
Ciilled  away  so  soon,  and  desire  me  to  say  a  word  from  me  will 
always  obtain  you  their  hall  to  speak  in. 

The  noble  old  flag  was  thrown  out  on  the  4th  to  catch  the 
breeze  of  heaven  and  bid  defiance  to  its  upstart  rival.  And 
among  the  many  who  passed  under  its  folds  as  it  waved  from 
the  window  of  the  engine-house  was  one  who  especially  attracted 
my  attention,  walking  with  a  pretty-looking  girl. 

He  pointed  upward  to  the  stars  and  stripes  and  passed  under 
with  his  head  uncovered. 

How  comes  on  *•  Pinkey  ?"  "We  miss  her  too,  and  the  gifted 
"Lady"  whose  visits,  truly  like  angels,  are  "  few  and  far  be- 
tween." She  brought  with  her  the  beacon  of  bright  and  hope- 
ful days  to  come,  and  from  the  storehouse  of  her  mind  im- 
parted a  knowledge  of  events  to  come  to  the  inmates  of  the 
old  house. 

Aunt  E.  has  not  received  as  much  benefit  as  myself.  Tell 
the  doctor  that  she  has  not  been  able  to  get  the  oil  of  sage,  but 
in  using  the  others  there  is  a  numbness  about  the  organs  of  the 
ear,  and  a  most  unpleasant  sensation  at  times  when  she  lays  her 
head  on  her  pillow.  I  know  he  will  tell  her  what  will  relieve 
her.     For  vou  know  rav  faith  is  srreat  in  him. 

I  wish  I  was  near  to  ask  L)r.  Beecher's  advice  on  a  subject 
17 


258  ^^^  LIXCOIN  A  SPIEITUALISTf 

tkM  I  liaTC  taken  deep  inteare^  in,  lliat  is  the  paidon  of  a  Cd. 
TVanren,  a  State  prisoner  in  Fort  Delaware;  I  am  in  ]e..r.f 
witili  liiis  frieniis  to  get  Idmsdf  and  ftmily  restored  to  :  r 
lM»ne  in  Maxjiand,  as  ve  all  b^ere  a  pexsecntioii  has  set  in 
^ainsl  bim,  and  meet  nnjost.  But  I  viH  not  weary  joo,  i  ;.: 
Xettie,  bat  now  1»d  joo  good-b|-€^,  tbankii^  you  once  agair. 
yoor  letter  and  bofnn^  yoo  will  write  as  often  as  your  tin:  t 
tbat  of  dear  Miss  Parme  will  permit ;  in  bearing  from  (me  I  :  v:: 
bear  of  botb.     God  bless  yon !  Yoor  friend. 


The  fonowing  beaatifal  poem  waa  written  and  pre- 
a^ited  to  mj  husband  and  mjself  at  the  annivers^rT 
of  our  crystal  wedding.  The  writer.  Prof.  S.  E. 
Brittan,  was  a  writer  of  distinguished  merit,  and  his 
hooks  will  be  foond  in  the  leading  libraries  of  this 
eoimtrj  and  Europe.  He  was  formerij  a  Univer- 
salist  pastor,  bat  later  conrerted  to  Spiritnalism,  to 
which  reli^cm  he  dcTOted  his  life  and  efforts.  His 
last  woik,  ^  The  Battle-ground  of  Spritoalism,"  had 
a  flattering  recepdon  and  large  sale.  ^  In  argument 
for  Spiritualism  be  w^?  ^  host  against  all  opponents," 
said  Mr.  Partridge  ::  _•;  fonera!  ?err^ces-  He  was 
St  practical  man  of  ^:-.  7  >  '.ence  :  1  '^'th  all  tiie 
bitterness  heaped  ._    r  we  were  associated,  I 

nerer  heard  an  dl  ■  : :  jm  his  lips. 

Mj  dearfiriend  H;::jr  7  2\  ::«ii.  President  of  the 
first  Xew  York  &:  *  .  said,  in  ^  ^^.  easing  Mr.  Riddle, 
Pre^dent  of  the  Sj^x^x :  ^al  Alliance :  "  He  was  snstained 


APPEXDED  yOTES.  259 

by  an  nnbounded,  rmfalteriiig  faith  and  confideLce  in 
the  goodness  of  his  heavenlv  Father.  This  faith 
never  forsook  him:  it  was  the  rock  to  which  he 
seemed  securely  anchored,  and  from  which  no  storm 
nor  tempest,  however  fierce  or  rude,  could  for  a  single 
instant  move  him." 

THE  CETSTAL  WEDDING. 

BT  s.  B.  BRITTA^iT. 

Inscribed  to  Xettie  C.  and  Wniiam  P.  Mavnard  on  tte  Rft^enrh. 
AnniTersary  of  their  3JiJTia^. 

Come.  ^:   : . :  j^s  Muse !  now  wake  mr  sleeping  Ivre ; 
Tonch  oar  fond  hearts  with  Lore's  celestial  fire  ; 
Come,  spirit  pare — come  in  thy  gentle  mieii : 
The  life  of  wedded  lorers  is  oar  theme. 
Come,  holr  spirit  (rf"  a  bUmclcas  lore, 
Whose  living  symbol  is  the  spotless  dcfve ; 
Let  ansel  hosts,  all  beautifal  and  fair, 
Xow  oSer  incense  to  the  mOTning  air ; 
And  mortals  fall  of  hope  and  chaste  desire 
Come  here,  to  learn  tiie  lesscxi  and  admire  : 
Come,  aU  the  pare  I  yoor  loring  presesee  lead ; 
We  worship  faith  unfarok^i  to  the  end. 

Hail,  mated  sools  I  whcee  faith  was  never  moved — 

The  living  faith  so  folly  tried  ai^i  prov^  ^. 

These  loving  friends  come  in  their  kind-v  z-jL, 

With  cordial  gjeetinor  and  to  wish  voa  weal ; 

The  coming  of  the  truth,  like  crystal  clear. 

Is  lucid  as  the-  vision  of  the  seer  : 

The  vital  truth,  it  seems  to  me,  is  seen — 

The  Crvstal  Wedding  here  is  made  to  mean — 


260  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALLSTf 

No  fragile  substance  like  to  brittle  glass. 
That  broken  once  can  nevermore,  alas ! 
Be  sound  ;  but  where  is  the  secret  meaning — 
The  hidden  truth,  deeper  than  all  seeming  ? — 
Not  merely  crystal  in  the  common  name, 
But  crystal  whiteness  of  a  spotless  fame. 

Hail,  blessed  Love  !  the  heart's  sincere  desire, 
The  blissful  state  to  which  pure  souls  aspire  ; 
Thy  gentle  presence,  in  our  noblest  moods. 
Like  morning  light  above  the  spirit  broods : 
A  peaceful  spirit  on  life's  battle-field 
Is  better  far  than  burnished  sword  and  shield  ; 
Man  struggles  vainly  with  a  cruel  fate 
Till  Woman  smiles  upon  his  lonely  state ; 
Her  gentle  presence  stills  the  mortal  strife 
And  sweetens  all  the  bitterness  of  life. 
Let  discord  cease  !     Now  banish  all  our  woes  ; 
The  household  Angels  bring  us  sweet  repose. 

Dear,  gifted  Guide :  through  shadows  of  the  night, 

Thy  shining  footprints  on  the  mountain  height, 

Of  purest  truth  and  most  aspiring  thought. 

Reveal  the  work  that  willing  hands  have  wrought. 

Our  blessing  rest  upon  the  noble  soul. 

And  gentle  hands  that  lead  thee  to  the  goal ; 

We  can  but  worship  with  supreme  delight 

Before  the  shrine  of  Purity  and  Right. 

In  living  you  impart  a  modest  charm 

To  life — our  wayward  passions  to  disarm  ; 

From  many  ills  you  bring  us  sweet  release, 

And  blessing  in  the  victories  of  peace. 

The  purest  souls  interpret  thee  aright. 

And  gladly  hail  thee,  Messenger  of  Light  ! 


4S:- 


APPENDED  NOTES.  261 

The  following  letter  was  sent  to  Mrs.  Cosby,  and 
by  her  presented  to  me.  It  refers  to  my  lecture  in 
the  Fire  Company's  hall : — 

Washington,  June  26, 1863. 
Mrs.  Anna  M.  Cosby:— 

Di<:ar  Madam  :  Your  request  in  relation  to  the  hall  for 
JSIonday  night  was  unanimously  and  with  pleasure  granted. 
And  I  trust  that  your  friend,  Miss  Colburn,  will  meet  with  that 
success  that  crowned  her  efforts  on  Wednesday  night.  I  know, 
madam,  that  anything  that  the  company  can  do,  that  is  a 
pleasure  to  you  and  a  benefit  to  your  friend,  will  afford  us  as 
much  satisfaction  as  it  will  you  pleasure.  Trusting,  madam, 
that  you  will  ever,  in  your  prayers,  remember  us, 

I  remain  truly  your  friend, 

*  M.  MARCERON, 
Corresponding  Secretary  Columbia  Fire  Company. 


The  following  letter  is  of  special  interest  at  this 
present  time,  as  it  comes  unsolicited  from  an  acquaint- 
ance of  long  ago  : — 

Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  June  18, 1890. 
Dear  Mrs.  Maynard  : — 

You  will  be  surprised  by  receiving  a  letter  from  me,  as  we 
have  not  met  for  twenty-one  years,  but  you  have  not  forgotten 
me  I  hope.  I  lived  in  Washington  City  during  the  war,  and 
we  frequently  met  there  in  those  turbulent  days.  The  first 
time  we  met  was  at  Thomas  Gale  Foster's  house.  A  few  days 
after  that  I  went  with  you  to  the  War  Department  to  see  some- 
thing about  your  brother,  who  was  in  the  army,  and  we  were 
referred  to  an  officer  in  some  other  part  of  the  city,  where  we 


262  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRIl  UALISl  f 

went.  The  officer  then  received  us  very  uncivilly,  being  a 
young  lieutenant,  was  arrogant  and  insulting.  We  left,  both 
feeling  quite  humiliated.  After  that  I  heard  you  were  received 
very  differently  at  the  White  House.  I  understood  that  the 
President  consulted  the  spirits  through  you,  Charlie  Foster,  and 
Colchester,  but  I  never  knew  until  recently  that  he  gave  the 
credit  to  you  for  the  inspiration  that  produced  the  Emancipa- 
tion Proclamation.  I  read  in  the  "Better  Way"  Mr.  New- 
ton's report  of  the  wonderful  manifestations  in  your  room  on 
5th  of  March  last.  If  your  husband  would  write  me  and  state 
who  was  the  spirit  speaking  through  you  that  inspired  that 
great  national  work  I  will  be  very  much  obliged.  I  had  a 
communication  purporting  to  come  from  Mr.  Lincoln  not  long 
since,  and  I  would  like  very  much  to  be  assured  that  it  was 
genuine.  If  he  ever  comes  to  you  ask  him  if  he  has  ever  given 
me  a  communication,  and  if  so,  when  and  through  what  medium, 
also  what  it  was  about.  I  would  give  anything  in  reason  to 
have  it  verified. 

I  have  resided  here  for  over  twelve  years,  and  Mr.  Newton 
told  me  when  I  was  in  New  York  last  winter  that  you  were 
here  some  ten  years  a^o.  I  would  have  been  so  glad  to  have 
met  you  and  renewed  our  old  acquaintance  had  I  known  you 
were  in  town.  Mr.  Newton  told  me  of  your  terrible  affliction, 
and  I  was  very  sorry  to  hear  of  it. 

I  leased  my  hotel  to  my  son  (L.  F.  Hay),  and  retired  my- 
self, being  now  over  seventy  years  old.  Mrs.  Hay  and  myself 
will  leave  to-morrow  for  Denver,  Col.,  where  we  will  spend  the 
hot  months.  My  address  there  will  be  No.  722  Lincoln  Ave^ 
The  last  time  we  met  was  in  February,  1869,  in  Washington. 
I  escorted  you  to  and  from  the  lecture-room.  On  our  way  to 
the  lecture  I  remarked  to  you  I  wished  the  old  Yankee  doctor 

(I  have  forgotten  his  name)  would  control  you  that  evening. 

Sure  enough  he  did,  and  gave  a  very  interesting  discourse.     I 


APPENDED  NOTES.  263 

■was  very  much  entertained.  I  wonder  he  did  not  appear  to 
you  at  the  siance  named  above,  I  was  acquainted  witli  Dr.  J, 
R.  Newton,  who  appeared  on  that  occasion.  With  my  best 
wishes  and  high  esteem,  I  am  very  truly  your 

Friend  and  brother, 

DR.  C.  D.  HAT. 


The  following  note  was  clipped  from  a  paper  some 
time  ago.  It  is  by  State  Legislator  Warren  Chase, 
of  Illinois :  — 

THE  MEDIUM  COLCHESTER. 
To  THE  Editor  : — 

W.  C.  H.,  of  Sodus,  N.  Y.,  says  he  did  not  know  what  be- 
came of  Colchester.  He  passed  to  spirit  life  many  years  ago. 
In  January,  1865,  while  I  was  lecturing  in  Washington,  D.  C, 
I  often  saw  Colchester,  who  was  astonishing  many  public  men 
by  his  tests.  I  know  that  he  visited  President  Lincoln  and  was 
often  sent  for  by  him  and  gave  him  evidence  of  spirit  inter- 
course, as  did  also  Mrs.  Nettie  Maynard,  of  White  Plains,  N. 
y.,  before  she  was  married  to  Mr.  Maynard.  She  was  a  re- 
markable medium,  whom  I  knew  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  in  the 
early  days  of  her  mediumship.  She  is  an  invalid  and  great 
sufi'erer  now.  Colchester  told  me  he  often  received  from  public 
men  ten  and  twenty  dollars  for  the  tests  given  when  he  asked 
nothing.  He  was  very  generous  and  a  remarkable  test  medium, 
but  he  also  told  me  he  often  cheated  the  fools,  as  he  could  easily 
do  it,  but  never  deceived  the  honest  and  intelligent  inquirers. 
Mrs.  Maynard' s  conscience  would  never  let  her  cheat  anybody. 
She  stopped  where  I  did  in  Washington,  and  I  know  when  she 
was  sent  for  by  President  Lincoln,  and  as  I  knew  him  well,  I 


264  WAS  LINCOLN  A  SPIRITUALIST? 

knew  he  was  a  Spiritualist.     Much  of  this  early  history  is  re- 
corded in  my  "Forty  Years  on  the  Spiritual  Rostrum." 
CoBDEN,  III.  WARREN  CHASE. 


This  brings  the  present  volume  to  a  close.  My 
experience  teaches  me  that  my  work  is  almost  done, 
but  not  entirely,  until  I  have  recounted  the  experi- 
ences which  befell  me  after  the  close  of  the  war  ;  and, 
therefore,  I  propose  to  incorporate  the  many  subse- 
quent happenings  of  the  latter  part  of  my  life  in 
another  volume  ;  and  should  I  be  spared  so  to  do,  very 
many  of  my  dear  friends  will  find  place  and  recogni- 
tion therein.  To  have  included  them  in  this  volume 
would  have  extended  it  beyond  a  reasonable  limit,  and 
also  not  enabled  the  perfection  of  a  single  purpose — 

Was  Abraham  Lincoln  a  Spiritualist  ? 


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